The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-02
TO VISIT THE FLEET
MANY WILL INSPECT wARsHIPs AT
 PENSACOLA.
Officers of High Rank Arrive at Great Gathering of Sea Fighters-De- serter Returned to the
 Missouri.

Pensacola, Fla. April 1.--(Special.)- Every ship of the naval fleet will be thrown open to visitors Sunday and as every excursion boat here has been prepared to handle the crowds of visi- tors and Pensacolians who will want to get aboard of the beautiful vessels, there will be no trouble in reaching the fleet Ten battleships will be an- chored in the harbor on Sunday morn ing, to remain throughout the week. Among them will be the Alabama, which was the scene of many a pleas ant gathering of people from Alabama last winter during the stay of the ves- sels. People from that State will be welcomed aboard with as much cor diality now as obtained when Captain Davis, now divisional commander. was in command of the vessel
 The ships of the fleet have present. ed very busy scenes today. Each was even more brilliantly polished this morning than in the past, for 1t is ex- pected that several thousand visitors will be on hand Sunday and the best appearance possible will be presented
 All the vessels are as clean as new pins at all times. but more deter mined effort was made by crews today and the appearance of the vessels is nothing short of beautiful.
 Rear Admiral Charles H. Davis who commanded the battleship Alabama during last season of maneuvers and who acted as host to the people of Alabama, arrived last night and went aboard the ship on which his flag as divisional commander of the battleship fleet is hoisre6. Rear Admiral DaNs was the American member of the Dog ger Bank inquiry. which board was formed for the purpose of investigat- ing the cause of the sinking by Rus sian ships of the English trawlers. Friends here were very glad to see him since his return from England, in which country he very courteously re- fused to be present at dinner given by the British King. the American of- ficer catching the first steamer for the United States. This incident was re- called by the gentleman's arrival here.
 Rear Admiral Higginson, who sev- eral years ago commanded the battle ship fleet, but who was relieved by Rear Admiral Barker. retired yester. day. is in the city with his friend, Col onel Thompson, retired officer. Rear Admiral Higginson saw the transfer of the command yesterday and was very much interested. He will be in the city for few days attending to duties fin onnection with the big feet Hav- ing visited this port more than once. this officer is a social favorite and last night was the guest of some of his friends.
 Rear Admiral Royal B Bradford is another officer of high rank who reach ed the city last afternoon. He came on board his fine vessel. the Minneapo- lis. flagship of the training ship squad ron. and arrived about the time the change in command of the fleet took place. The converted cruiser Prairie came with the Minneapolis.
 Rear Admiral Francis W. Dickens was the latest arrival in the way of ranking officers. He came up the bay on the battleship Texas, flagship of the Coast Squadron. This officer was until recently in command of the Pen sacoIa navy yard and mas many so- ciety friends here He was the guest of prominent people this afternoon. The Texas was accompanied by the monitors Florida, Nevada and Arkan- sas, and each of them saluted the flag of the new commanding officer as they came in sight.