The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-08
OFF FOR CHILE.
Departure of the German Fleet
From San Francisco.
Thousands Of People Visit the Vessels-A
Break for Liberty on Their Way
With Ringing Cheers.

The German feet steamed out of the
harbor soon after 8 O'Clock yesterday after
noon, bound for Panama. Never before in
the history of San Francisco has there been
such gathering of Germans speaklng people
on The water front as there was yesterday.
In addition to the large number who reside
here. they poured in by train and boat from
every town within radius of fifty miles Of
San Francisco. Over 5000 went off to tbs
ships in tugs and boats, hundreds more
thronged the wharves and climbed on board
the vessels lying at the docks, from which
view Of the war-ships could be obtained.
while Russian and Telegraph hills were
fairly blocked with people.
Soon after II O'Clock in the morning Gem
eral Ruger, attended by Captain Woodruff
and Lieutenant Lowering, paiu an official
visit to Admiral ValOis on board the flagship
Leipzig. He remained oil board about half
an hour, and on his departure was saluted
with thirteen guns.
BUSY DAY.
The day was busy one for the fleet. All
the forenoon the men were hard at work
getting on board stores and provisions for
the voyage, and they were somewhat ham-
percd by the nun Der Of people who crowded
the decks to get a look at the ships The
steam launches and cutters made frequent
trips to the Clay-street landing and carried
big loads each way. At the float Captain
Dunleavy had stationed a cOuple OF officers,
and they found il hard work 10 Keep pack
tine gOod-natGred Germans who wanted 10
shake hands with the sailors from the
Fatherlaud.
WoULD-BE DEsERTER.
About 1 80 o'clock, when the boat from
the Leipzig ran alongside The landing with
party Of ladies and gentlemen who had been
off TO the ship, one OF the sailors suddenly
made up his UlInd that run 0n shore would
be GOOD for his health, and as soon as the
boat touched the float he jumped ashore aud
was half way up the gangway to freedom
when he was met by couple OF officers De-
longing to his ship, who at once marched
him back.
THE ADMIRAL GOES ABOARD.
The last boat belonging to the feet to
leave the Landing was the steam launch or
the Leipzig with Admiral NalOiS on board.
This was about 4 O'clock. As soon as the
little steamer reached the flagship signals
were exchanged between the ships and
active preparations were at once made
to get under way. Boats were hosted to
the dayitS, b0Ons rlgged IN and secured IOr
sea, and the cable hove on board OF all
three vessels. Then the men had short
time in which to take last look at the
great city OF the Golden Gate.
At . o'clock sharp the signal was made
frOm the Leipzig to get under way, ana IN
SIDE Of five minutes the flagship mad the
anchor at the bow and began to steam
slowly ahead 1t was ebb tide and the yeS-
sells had to 60 quite a distance up the
harbOr before q turn could be made. When
off Clay street two sharp blasts OF Inc
whistle was heard coming from the Leipzig,
AMI the next moment the Sophie, in Obedl-
ence to the signal, began to forge ahead IN
wake of the larger vessel, While the Alex
aRdrlne brought up the rear some dis tauee
from the leaders.
CHEERS FOR THE MOHICAN.
As the Leipzig passed the Mohican the
German seamen manned the rigging and
gave three ringing cheers, which were at
once answered by the crew or the American
snip. This was repeated by the Sophie and
AlexaHdrlne, and each time the War-Shlps
of Germany were sent on their vi ay with
hearty cheers from Uncle Sans sailors.
Flags were dipped from the merchant ships
lying in the stream as the waT-Yes>elS
passed by them, while on board the German
merchantmen at the wharVeS enSlgnS we're
dipped until the men were tired, and the
band of the WatjenS played "Ihe Watch
on the Rhine"
The tugs Sea Queen and Rescue, with
members of the German societies on board,
followed the fleet as it passed out of the
harbor. When the ships got abreast OF AL
catraz the speed was increased, and the
German fleet passed out III the same order
in which 1t had entered.
When near the heads blast from the
steam whistles sounded a final farewell
from the fleet; this was returned with
many ringing cheer from those on board
the tugs, and then at full speed the war
ships of Germany headed for the ocean on
their way 10 Chile.