The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-03-17

GREAT FLEET ENTERS mazda.
LENA AND DROPS ANCHORS
IN HAReoR MUD.
EVANS IS PROUD

EAln5g00S ThaTNET<1HfI saEEEE# HEHIEl
tice Soon to Begin-Thirteen Thous,
and Mile Cruise Brings Ships to
Wonderful Efficiency.
Magdalena Bay, March 12.-(By
United States cruiser Buffalo to San
Diego, CAL, March 16.)-Ready for
immediate action, according to the
declarations Of all commanders from
Rear Admiral Evans down and with
three or four feet of heavy armor belt
showing red above the blue Of the
placid southern waters, the American
battleship feet Of 16 modern vessels,
sailed into Magdalena bay today and.
after exchanging c%ourtesies with the
Mexican authorities, represented by
Governor Sanginez Of the southern d.
vision Of Lower California, prepared
Immediately for the annual record
spring target practice which is ex-
pected to occupy about three weeks.
Look at u.s." exclaimed Admiral
Evans, when the fleet had come to
anchor OF the little town Of Magda-
lena, in four divisions Of four ships
abreast. I'VE are ready at a mo.
ment's notice to begin shooting at
the targets, to go out to sea and fight
a battle or to keep on with the cruise.
II any one thinks we are not ready
for target practice let him come down
here. And II they think we can't hit
the targets let them come along and
take a look at them"
Evans Better.
Admiral Evans health has greatly
improved during the latter part Of the
voyage. He was in the pilot house Of
the Connecticut when the feet
steamed through the gateway to the
bay and remained there giving orders
and witnessing their execution until
the anchor chains had nwhirred
through into the water and the great
mud hooks had found a resting phase
in the sandy bottom OF the bay.
The entire town Of. Magdalena.
which, despite the reports Of a Won,
derful boom. is still a tiny village.
turned out its total population Of 40
souls. four Of them Americans, to
witness the coming Of the feet. Wire
less messages last night told OF the
near approach OF the battleships and
the town had shaken OF It's tropical
lethargy to arise and greet both the
dawn and the American ships In joint
celebration today.
The morning was perfect, once the
u had taken command. The air
was balmy and the light breeze which
blew from the south did not even rip
pie the m~irror-like waters OF the
northern hay. Once inside the har-
Dor mouth the Connecticut turned
sharply to port and pointed her course
toward the north. It was q run Of
eight miles from Point Entrada to
Man-o-war cove. where anchors were
let 60.
Natives Gather.
The town Of Magdalena, with its
two-score OF whitewashed, lowlying
huts. nestled In the hills OF the cove
and II was here that the natives were
gathered in clusters to watch the
feet. It was not until the very
anchorage grounds had been reached
that the speed cones gradually de-
scending showed a s%lackening Of
headway. The signal flags were brok-
en- out from the Connecticut and with
the precision Of a company Of SOL
diers at drill, the vessels OF each Of
the four divisions began a quick
maneuver which brought them four
abreast.
Anchor in present formation"
came the command from the flagship.
The beat Of ~propellers which could be
plainly heard across the still and
smooth waters ceased and the clank
and whir Of the dropping anchor
chains awoke the repose Of the hills
with rancous noises.
It devolyed upon Rear Admiral
Thomas. commanding the second d.
vision Of the deet. to come ashore
and pay the respects Of the command.
erin-chief to the Mexican authorities
and this he did within the first hour
after anchoring.
the two great republics of North
America might always remain as cor.
dial as now. As the governor went
over the side on his return to the
shore. the saluting cannon Of the Min.
neapohs fired II shots in his honor.
Thirteen thousand miles of steam.
ing and three months Of continuous
work have brought the feet to a
point Of efficiency which the arrival
here fully two days ahead of sched.
ule time only in part illustrates.
Il do not care to express my per
sonal opinion Of the progress Of the
deet." said Admiral Evans. "You NAV
say anything you want to, but I have
no opinion about the cruise. It 10
unnecessary"
The admiral wa sitting on the at
fnrhv@NwA rs hi. -