Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-10-03
PASS GOLDEN CATE
-Four Arm0red Cruisers, from Ash
attic Waters, Have Arrived at
San Francisco.
THE END OF ALONG CRUISE
They Are the First Of the Fleet Which
viii Make a Demonstration
In Pacific Waters This
Winter.

San Francisco, Sept, 2S-The first
division Of the Pacific feet, foreguarj
of the American navy, which is to as
semble in Pacific coast waters by
order of the president, steamed
through the Golden Gate at sunrise
Friday morning. The four armored
cruisers passed the heads in file for
nation, led by the flagship West Vir-
gina, flying at her masthead the two
starred flag Of the commander Of the
fleet, Rear Admiral James H. Ray.
ton. Five hundred yards TO the rear
came the Colorado, followed at like
distance by the Maryland and the
Pennsylvania. The arrival Of the
-four big sister ships marked the end
of a 36,000-mile cruise, which began at
Newport, r, l., last September.
The squadron was sighted outside
the heads at daybreak, steaming at
half speed out Of coast fog. BY
bringing his ships to anchor of the
city front few minutes before eight
O'Clock, Admiral Dayton fulfilled his
promise by wireless the night before
to ARRIVE some time in the early
forenoon" Thousands Of people, an
ticipatlng the event, were gathered
along the water front and on the hill.
tops commanding a view OF the bay.
Oblivious Of the fact that they could
not be distinguished from the decks,
they signalled welcome to the huge
whlte-and.buff fighting machines by
waving hats and handkerchiefs and
as fieecy puffs Of smoke rose and
drlfted from the mouths Of the six
FOUNDER saluting guns OF the West
Virginia, they cheered.
San Francisco never greeted a
homebound feet with prettier weather.
The light fog outside the heads lifted |
and blew away as the cruisers |
emerged into Golden Gate at G O'Clock. !
As the squadron PASSED in under the
guns Of Fort Mason and Fort Baker,
the flagship fired a salute,
Passing Goat island, the West Vir- |
gania took on a momentary holiday
dress by running up successive strings
Of bright colored signal flags, which !
were answered from the naval train
ing station there. Ferryboats crowd
ed to the rails with early morning
commuters, saluted the squadron by J
triple blasts OF their whistles, the /
admiral's ship responding in kind.
Opposite North Beach the cruisers
slowed down to allow Chief Quaran-
tine ofhcer Hobby to come aboard. ]
In quick succession the West Viz J
yinia. Colorado. Maryland and Penn.
sylvania submitted their health cert. 7
ncates and were given clean bills and !
allowed to proceed to their anchor.
lges a mile further on, passing some
81 the other cruisers Of the feet on
he way. Admiral swinburne put on
rom his flagship. the cruiser Charles.
on as soon as the West vlrEinir
noored. On board the latter vessel
he rails were manned and the band
truck up a lively air as Admiral
lWinburne stepped onto the quarter
Ieck TO greet the commander IN chief
4 the feet The brief formality oves,
be two admirals shook bands warm.
}, and at once retired for an ohclai
difference relative to the departure
rom this port Of The crulsen Cali
lruia. Charleston and St. Louis for
Irget practice n Magdalena Bay
aptain J b Milton. CON handing the
Test Virginia received a score Of
.uspapg men Who had besn wait