Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-05-13
TITLES NOT
CONSIDERED
ENLISTED MEN RANK WITH
OFFICERS AT BALL
SOCIETY WOMEN DANCE WITH
BLUEJAcKETs
Higher Officers of Fleet in Line with
Sailors In the Two Divisions
of the Grand
March
By Associated Press.


SAN FRANCISCO, May ia real
novelty tonight marked the fleet en-
tertainment program when the blue
jackets and petty officers were the
guests of honor at a reception and
ball given at the Auditorium under the
auspices of the women of the exclusive
California club. Women high in the
ranks of San Francisco society danced
with the enlisted men and in the two
divisions of the grand march that
marked the opening of the ball there
were number of the higher officers
of the fleet in line with the men.
The function was marked by much
of the decorative splendor that has
characterized the receptions of the Of
flcers.
All first class liberty men and all
petty officers were the guests of honor
and they enjoyed the attentions paid
them. Many of the sailors were ac-
companied by their own best girls and
danced with them till well along in
the morning hours. The men all were
attired in their dress blouses of blue,
with white knife e-halyards about their
necks, and presented a picture illus
trative of the quality of timber of
which the enlisted personnel of the
navy Is made.
Scores of officers and their wives at
tended the ball. many of the latter
dancing with men from their hus-
bands divisions on shipboard. Quite
an elaborate supper was provided, and
altogether the function was probably
the most enjoyable the men have ever
had. Santa Barbara spread a piece
of canvas over the asphalt of the
Ocean boulevard for the men to dance
upon while they were at that port,
but made no other provision for their
comfort. During the day many of the
sailors and officers were taken on ex-
cursions about the city and adjacent
valleys. There We're baseball games
and other athletic events and all sorts
of attractions to keep the shore forces
busy.
Ships Drop Out
The remarkable fighting force that
has been anchored in the roadstead
since Wednesday now is rapidly dis
integratinP. and 1t will be many months
before its tonnage again will be
eaualed. The Maine and the Missouri
were the first of the battleships to
drop out of line. The Maine went to
Mare island for overhauling before be-
ginning her Independent cruise back to
the Atlantic coast in advance of tb
fleet. The Missouri, with her broken
high pressure cylinder, went into dry
dock at Hunters Point and later Is to
be repaired Mt Mare island. 1t is es-
timated that the Missouri will just
about be ready to accompany the fleet
TO the, far east on July Z. 1t probably
will be necessary to work night and
day on the task of replacing her brok-
en- engine The Alabama will take the
place of the Missouri on the Puget
sound cruise.
The Atlantic torpedo boat f1otilla
also has left the anchorage grounds
for Mare island. The little boats were
buffeted about IN lively fashion in their
long Journey from Hampton Roads,
and are to receive all necessary re-
pairs at the navy yard.
The disposition of the destroyers is
still a matter of COME cture here. Lieu
tenant Commander Cone expects short
lv to haul down his flag from the flag
ship Whipple, hut says he has no in
formation as to what the flotilla will
do. 1t is not thought there is any
chance of it going around the world.
Ships Begin CoaIing
Many OF the ships in the harbor
have begun coaling, taking on their
first supplies of fuel since leaving Mag
dalena bay. The coal was all sent
here around the Horn in GOLFERS, which
are now ranged alongside the white
vessels of war.
The armored cruisers of the Pacific
fleet will leave port on Friday for
Santa Barbara and other southern
ports. They are to engage in series
Of fleet drills and maneuvers.
The cruiser South Dakota will leave
on Thursday one day in advance of
the others. for three days of trial
runs and speed tests. 1t is believed
the ship will far exceed her contract
speed OF twenty-five knots.