The San Francisco call., 1908-05-02
UNITED FLEETS TO
STEAM INTO BAY
Pacific Squadron to Join Evans
Armada Outside Golden
Gate
By Arthur Price
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

MONTEREY, May 1.-Rear Admiral
Charles NJ Thomas announced today
the final decision of the navy depart
ment regarding the arrival of the great
fleet from Hampton Roads at the end
Of its journey in San Francisco bay at
2 o'clock on the afternoon of May 6.
Most important among the details are
the facts that the Pacific fleet, now
stationed in San Francisco bay, will
meet it's companions outside the heads,
and enter the Golden Gate with it, and
that the great armada will follow the
original intention of the department
and sweep around the bay to Hunters
point and back to it's anchorage area.
Admiral Thomas is most decided
man when discussing this matter The
San Francisco shipping men desired
that the fleet make a straight line from
the Golden gate to Its anchorage In
stead of taking the wide swing toward
the Alameda shoreS turning off Hunters
point and coming to anchor
The admiral frankly discussed the
situation today in his headquarters on
the flagship Connecticut.
REFUSES TO RISK SHIPS
"They.need not think that am going
to risk these 40 ships he said, by
coming to anchor in the manner they
desire In a food tide. I'll not take
chance of any of the vessels getting
caught in the tide and smashing to-
gether The safety of the ships Is
more important than the convenience
of commerce. We insist in turning of
Hunters point.
.It has been decided" the admiral
continued, that the Pacific fleet, with
the fourth torpedo flotilla, will join the
Atlantic fleet at the lightship off the
Golden gate at 9 a. m. on the morning
fleets, hotilias and auxiliaries will get
under way. The Pacific feet will fol-
low the Atlantic squadron, the torpedo
boat hotillas Will come next and the
auxiliaries will bring up the rear. The
Golden gate will be entered at noon
and the Connecticut, the leading SNIP
will drop anchor at O'CLOCK
admiral Evans will assume COM
mand in the forenoon of May at
Santa Cruz We have heard that he
has thrown away his crutches and is
rapidly recovering his health"
Admiral Thomas statement that the
Pacific fleet will join the armored trav-
elers from the east outside the heads
will be received with pleasure by those
who intend to view the passage OF the
fleet through the Golden gate
1t was originally intended that the
Pacific fleet should be coy in the pres
ence of it's great cousin from the At
lantic, and wait silently and In placid
meditation behind Sausalito cove, Angel
island, or some other seauestered re-
treat Now that it is going to rush
from its place into the arms OF its
compeer, the greatness of the sight to
San Francisco's eyes will be Increased.
The line of fighting ships will be
more than IL miles long. In the final
formation at the anchorage, the Pacific
feet will have an honorable place The
ships will enter the Golden gate in col
umn formation. but having rounded the
turning point at Hunters point the
squadron formation will be Under
taken.
POSITION NEAR EVANS SHIP
At anchor the Minnesota. flagship of
the second squadron. will be to the
east of the Connecticut Admiral Evans
flagship and the West Virginia, the
flagship of the Pacific feet will be on
the east of the Minnesota abreast of
the Connecticut. The torpedo boat
Whipple. flagship of the fiotilla. will
be to the west Of the Connecticut.
The second torpedo boat flotilla,
which has accompanied the fleet about
the Horn, will rejoin the great ships at
Santa Cruz at o'clock on the morning
of May 4. The movements of the At
lantic fleet between today and It's ar
rival off San Francisco is announced
officially by Admiral Evans as follows:
May 2. a. m.-Departure of first
squadron, Admiral Thomas command
ing, from Monterey to Santa Cruz.
May departure of second squad
ron from Monterey for Santa Cruz, ar
irving at $780,, May 4, arrival of tor
pedo iotilla.
May (morning) arrival of Ad-
miral Evans, commander in chief, at
Santa Cruz, and take command of the
fleet
May 8. p. m.-Departure of fleet
from Santa Cruz for lightship off San
Francisco.
1t was learned In the feet today that
there is an encouraging probability
that the Missouri may be repaired at
the Mare island navy yard in time to
participate in the. tour of the world
which the fleet will undertake after
July. The Missouri blew out its port
high pressure cylinder head between
San Pedro and Santa Barbara
1t was feared. that the pattern of the
part had been destroyed or lost, but
word was received from the east. to-
day that the pattern had been found
and would be shipped to the Mare
island navy yard, where an attempt