Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-05-06

command, the Pacific fleet. the tor
pedo flotilla and other vessels OF
war, constituting the greatest ar
mada that any nation of the world
had gathered in one port at any one
time. falling In behind, all steaming
down the bay and coming to anchor
before the great city that still bears
the scars of one of the worlds great
est catsstrophes. but undaunted and
cheerful and dts whole heart ami
soul throbbing a welcome without
equal.
Excursion Boats Filled.
The excursion boats, their decks
crowded with passengers and their
masts and sides gsily decorated
with bunting and the national COL
ors. were steaming towards the
Golden Gate early In the morning.
saucy launches vieing with huge,
black-hulled liners for the honor OF
being the first to get outside and
give noisy greeting to the warships.
Arrived at the entrance the eyes OF
the people on the boats fell upon n
scene calculated 10 turn the ice In
the coldest-blooded man into warm,
surging blood. The sirens shrleked.
passengers and crews cheered and
waved hats. flags and handkerchiefs,
but even In the excess of their Joy
they could not overcome that tremu-
lousness OF speech. the peculiar
choking sensation. that come when
the emotions are aroused to the
highest degree. 90
BAIT the great spectacle was yet
to come and after lowering about the
battleships. tho excursion boats
started back for the bay to take
position to view the ships as they
came In, mancuvered and dropped
anchor.
Pacific Fleet Joins.
Early in the morning the Pacific
feet, Admiral Sebree, which was
anchored in the bay. accompanied
by the torpedo flotilla and the other
warships that were to join In the
great naval parade. crept out
through the Golden Gate to join
the Atlantic feet near the llghtship
Here they maneuvered until Ad'
miral Evans ships started for tht
bay. and then they fell into line.
Fleet Eentcrs Gate.
II was little past II when the
up-anchor signal was given to the
feet still resting lazily on the Pa
c!fics horizon. II was soon the sig
nal too. for cheers for those VIII
could see the first movements of thu
war dogs that swept from Point 10
bos down past the presidio. to thu
crowds on waiting craft. on both th'
Marin and San Francisco sides o
the Golden Gate and all along tn
water front TO the southernmos
point where Il was possible to secur
a view of the ships. Slowly the Con
necticut swung around, and point
Ing her nose 10 the north, made he
way from the ,lightship to the gate
the other ships OF the armada fal
ling In I'm single file Arriving on tn
entrance thu Connecticut turne'
sharply and then steamed straigh
in, her AZ companions strung on
behind her In one long line.
Salute Fired.
As the Connecticut passed Poln
Bonita light and pearel Fort Bake
on the Marin SIDE OF the gate th
great 12-inch batteries OF Fort Nj
ley. Fort Baker and OF the Presidi
were turned loose In 2i-gun 81
lutte, Black powder was used b
the artillerymen. and the grea
clouds OF smoke. streaked by tn
fiery flashes OF the explosions, mad
an awe-insprinig sight. The heav
booming of the monster cannon cr'
ated a rumble that seemed TO shak
grim old Mount Tamalpais, the gres
green pile that oyerlooks the gat
to it's very base. but thc mighty hi
hurled back in echo the doomed we
como as II In second salute to Eyar
and the men and ships in his con
mand.
sweer'ag majestlcally down III
gate the ships soon passed the PR
sldio reservation. and riding by Fol
Point. the last OF the forts on th
San Francisco side Of the bay, N
. head OF the column swung sqnarel
into the bay and headed for th
deep channel that runs between Oh
west shore and Alcatraz, the ugll
rock island on which Is situated IN