The morning call., 1891-01-09
FOR A NAMESAKE,
The Cruiser San Francisco Is
Given a Silver Service.
Citizens Present Magnificent Plate to the
War-Ship Her Officers Reciprocate
With Hearty Hospitality.

About four months ago q number of prom
inent San Franciscans deemed it fitting that
some expression should come from the citi-
zens indicative of their appreciation of the
action of the Secretary of the Navy in NAM
ing the cruiser San Francisco in honor of
this city. A subscription list was accord
ingly opened, and circulated among mer-
chants and citizens generally by self-ap-
pointed committee, comprising Mayor E. b.
Pond, who was Chairman; Colonel A. G.
Halves, Leon Sloss, William Alvord and c.
Froelich Jr. Their canvass met with graft
flying responses, and resulted in the pur-
chase of a beautiful silver service at cost
of $500. The service consists of thrty-two
pieces.
The committee decided to make the
presentation to the Government yesterday,
and it was arranged that the ceremony
should take place on board the San Fran
cisco at the Mare Island Navy yard. Tie
reason for the naming of the Government
as the recipient Of the gift was to insure the
use of the service to the officers of the ship
and their successors who may from time to
time be appointed, and the Paymaster of the
cruiser is responsible for the care OF the
silver. The Merchants Tow boat Company
placed the tug Sea King at the disposal of
the committee, who, accompanied by num-
Der of representative citizens. started from
Vallejo-street Wharf at $40 o'clock and
steamed rapidly up The bay to Mare Island.
THE VISITING PARTY.
The party on board the tug comprised Gen
er al John Gibbon, General o. ID. Green,
General j. F. Houghton. Henry r. Scott,
L. L. Baker, E. w. Hopkins, R. II. Pease
Jr. Joseph d. Grant. E. w. Earl, Lewis B.
Parrot, George c. Shreve, A. w. Stahl, R.
McMurray, L. J. Santa-Marina, Prescott
Scott, the membe of the committee with
the exception OF Mayor Pond, who was un-
avoldably absent, and representatives of the
morning papers.
After pleasant trip Of two hours dur
alton the destination was reached, and the
party was received with naval hOnors by the
officers of the navy-yard and of the San
francisco, by whom the visitors were es-
corted over the ship and entertained in
genial and hearty manner, the secret of
which is possessed by naval officers alone
The San Francisco is differed as follows:
Captain W. L. Sampson, Commander; Lieu
tenant Commander Il. +. Tey; LeuIenants
Moser, Berry, Babc0ck and Potts; EnSigns Gar
reif, Mccormick, Morgan, Crosr, Hayward, Ben
ham. Reid and Wiley; Medical IBsl ector White,
Past Assistant Surgeon Edgar Assistant Sur
geon SPralling. Paymaster Colds borough, Chef
Engineer hllSOl dSt Assistant Engineers War
burton ana McElToy Assistant Engineers Hlg-
gins and Bush, Captain allace, United States
Marine Corps, and Pay Clerk Mitchell.
Among the visiting officers were:
Admiral A. L. X. Benbam, Commandment OF the
NaVy-yafd, Admiral Brown of the Charleston,
Commodore Irwin, Commander Nelson and Cap
tan Watson, OF the naYy-yard, Captain Remey
Of the Charleston, Captain Byron Wilson of the
Independence, Captain Cooper OF the Swatara,
Captain Hitchcock of the Alert, Captain Tanner
of the Aibatross. Lieutenant Lefavor. Chief En-
tEtn and IDaxt
naYy-yaTd.
THE PRESENTATION.
The presentation ceremony took place in
the Admirafs cabin, l.. L. Baker presenting
the service on behalf of the citizens of San
Francisco to Admiral Benham, as the repre-
sentative OF the United States Government.
MIR. Baker said:
ADMIRAL BeHham-I have been asked by tile
committee to present 10 the Government through
you, This silver srryice for the cruiser San Fran
CISCO and designed for the use OF her officers
The citizens Of San Francisco have viewed with
no little satisfaction the construction of a new
navy. ana take especial pride In this beautiful
shl, named Tor our city. hope this magnificent
specimen OF naval architecture may ever prove
not alone source Of qualification and pride TO
San Francisco but as well to the navy and 10 all
The people OF this great republic. On every sea
our navy has defended The flag with the greatest
gailantry. With sucn splendid ships as this Tor the
American seamen. there should be commend
able desire on the part OF our young men of CON-
petent education TO compete for the privilege of
becoming cadet. he committee asks me TO
sav, in connection with this presentation mai lis
members suggest the free and interchangeable
use Of the several pieces OF this silver plate
among the different messes on occasions OF en-
-trrtainment and ceremony. The service is de-
sishtd as gilt to the ship for the use OF the
commissioned officers. ana | am 10 voice The
wish that II any mess shall desire It's use for lie
purposes L have mentioned the request shall he
granted. WIN The hope that the blessings of
fToVl0ence Will always attend this good shin
ana It's company, and that the cruiser Will ever
continue 10 be source OF pride to the nalion, /
nave The honor 10 present this gift fIom Iha
eitlzens OF San Francisco.
THANKS OF ACCEPTANCE.
Admiral Benham briefly returned thanks
ana IN behalf Of the Navy Department ac-
cepted the service. Captain Sampson. in
the name of the ship, thanked the donors of
the gut be SAID that California was famed
LOT the size OF her products. She had the
biggest trees, the larges, men and the big
geSt climate and this presentation convinced
him that another big thing must be added
TO the list, namely, the large hearts of her
people.
An adjournment was then taken to the
mess-room of the ward officers, where a
sumptuOus luncheon was served. Henry T.
Scott Offlciated as toast master and propOsed
The President of the United States" and
the health OF the officers of the San Fran
cisco, which, with the other toasts, was
drunk in sparkling champagne, all rising
and Joining in the familiar refrain "For thew
are jolly good fellows"
Captain Sampson responded and proposed
The Builders of the Cruiser San Fran
CISCO" which Mr. Scott acknowledged in a
short speech. The other toasts were:
ToASTs AND GooD-FELLoWsHIp.
THE Presentation Committee" proposed by
Admiral Benbam, responded TO by Colonel
Halves. Nlce-Chairman; The Army" proposed
by Paymaster G0idSborough, acknowledged bv
General Glbbon; 1.-The Loyal LEGION" proposed
by MIR. Pease, acknowledged by General Green.
1.-The Manufacturer of the Silver Service u ottered
r.. H.
miral Benham and acknowledged by j. p Rev
n0lds and M. W ole; The Merchants and Mer.
chant Princes" by Captain Sampson and CAPTAIN
Tanner, responded TO by Lewis b. Parrot and
Joseph ID. Grant the latter making the speech
OF the day; "lhe Caterer OF the Ward-room." by
Mr.. McMurray, acknowledged by Lieutenant
Potts.
Then followed an informal session of con-
yiviality and good fellowship, which was
continued until about 8 o'clock, when the
visitors departed amid cheers and counter
cheers. On the trip homeward the COM
mittee and its guests were loud in their ap-
probation OF the graceful and whole-souled
hospitality of the San Francisco's officers.
whose entertainment was fully appreciated,
The Sea King returned by way OF Raccoon
Straits past the quarantine station, arriving
at the wharf about 5 o'clock.
Since arrival of the San Francisco at the
navy-yard the men have been drilled with
special reference to the infantry battalion.
The armament and the full complement of
officers and men is on board, the cruiser is
already in commission, and she will soon be
ready for sea and service.
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