The San Francisco call., 1898-10-09
HIS BLUE PEMNANT HoISTED
GREETED WITH A SALUTE OF
 ELEVEN GUNS.
After Having Assumed Charge He Leaves for This City U Re cover From the Effects
 of the Wreck.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

VALLEJO, Oct. 8.-Commodore Johr Crittenden Watson. the new command ant at Mare Island, assumed command to-day at 2 o'clock. He had been the guest of Captain Kempff on the Inde- pendence and arrived at the navy yarc gate on the launch from that ship. He was met by Captain Cotton and the heads of departments and officers of the yard, who were drawn up on the gang way leading to the float. The entire marine guard was drawn up on the main avenue as Commodore Watson drove past
 Just as the new commandant stepped on the float, the senior officers pennant and "cocoawhip" were hauled down from the Independence and a commo- dOres blue pennant, with it's single white star, hoisted at the main truck while a salute of eleven guns was fired.
 Commodore Watson drove to his of flee, where he remained a short time, relinquishing the command temporarily to Captain Cotton. This action was taken on advice of surgeons, as the Commodore had been badly shaken up when the car he was in was derailed at CClfax. His head was cut and a slight injury to his left hand Is covered by a bandage.
 After leaving his office he returned to the Independence and at 4:25 left for San Francisco. He will return and as- sume his duties on Monday.
 Commodore Watson was seen by The Call representative as he was about to take the boat for San Francisco. He said that he was very glad to come to are Island, as he had many friends in Vallejo and San Francisco and likes the climate.
 As long as the war is over," said he.
 'he change from that hot climate is Very agreeable"
 of the eastern division of Admiral SampsOnS fleet in Cuban waters. and hauled down his flag from the Newark o1 the coast of Jamaica just before starting for Mare Island. He has been on duty here three times before, once as ordnance officer, again as senior aid to Admiral Rogers and again as Cap tain of the yard He left Mare Island to command the flagship San Francisco, ] -akng cruise to Europe and South America. For three years he was gov srasT oI the naval home at Philadel- phia, leaving there to join the fleet off Santiago
 The Hartford will leave the dock to- morrow, all work on her below the water line being completed. Her boil CTS have been secured, and mechanics are busy connecting them.
 The Yorktown will be placed in the dock on Tuesday, using the blocks that have supported the Hartford. She will be cleaned, her sea valves, strut bear 1ngs. .propelleTs and other underwater ap- purtenances put in first-class condition and her hull given two coats of anti fouling paint. She Is nearly ready to be placed in commission.
 A hospital steward is required for the Iroquois, which Is to be stationed at Honolulu as a dispatch vessel. Lieu tenant C. F. Pond will command her.
 Thirty-f1ve men who enlisted for the war will go East on Monday by train Thev will be discharged to date from their arrival at their various places of enlistment in the East, and the Gov ernment supplies the transportation. A draft of forty men for the Culgoa on the Asiatic station will leave by the Gaelic on Tuesday.