The San Francisco call., 1908-04-11
FLEET SAILS FOR
CALIFORNIA TODAY
Itinerary and Formation for the
Visit TO Coast Ports Is
Given Out
Admiral Thomas Makes Request
That Men Be Not Given
Intoxicating Liquor

MAGDALENA BAY, April 8, via San
Diego. April 10.-The Atlantic fleet
viii sail Saturday at p. m. for San
Diego, the first of the California cities
TO extend a greeting to the 16 battle
ships after their long sojourn in for
eign waters. The entire program OF
the trip from Magdalena to San Fran
cisco, occupying nearly one months
time. has been mapped out, even to the
last detail OF time for arrival and de-
parture at the various ports. The fleet
viii pass out of Magdalena bay in sin
gle column formation. the Connecticut
at the head with the flag of Rear Ad-
miral Charles NJ. Thomas at the after
masthead Squadron formation a
double column Of ships. eight In each
llne-will likely be the steaming order
up the coast
A corrected itinerary of the feet has
been issued by Admiral Thomas. The
schedule from Magdalena to San Fran
cisco covers a total Of ]. .050 knots. The
arrival at San Francisco Hghtship is
given as May 8, p, m. departure May
s, noon, and final anchorage at San
Francisco May 6. at 2 p. m.
FORMATION AT PORTS
The formation Of the nset at each
port is directed explicitly, and the ex-
act bearing of the ships indicated. At
San Diego the formation is to be line
Of divisions, or four lines of ships, with
the flagship Of each division heading,
the Connecticut and first division being
nearest Coronado, The divisions will be
500 yards apart
At San Pedro the anchorage will be
in feet column. or single line Of ships,
headed by the Connecticut. The flag
ship and first division will be inside OF
the breakwater, the remainder of the
line extending southwest at a distance
Of 400 yards apart.
At Santa Barbara the anchorage will
be in line of squadrons, or two lines
OF eight ships each. the first squadron,
most parallel with the shore, the Sec
ond squadron 500 yards farther out.
At Point Hartford the formation viii
be the same as at San Diego.
At Monterey the feet will round the
whistling buoy at Point Pinos IN single
column. changing TO line Of divisions
az the ships approach anchorage. At
Santa Cruz the anchorage will be the
same as at Santa Barbara.
ARRIVES OFF PORT ATsP NJ.
According to this itinerary the fleet
viii remain at San Francisco lghtship
over night, or from 9 p. m. May to
noon May 6. The anchorage there will
depend on existing circumstances. The
final anchorage at San Francisco will
be in line of divisions the first
division, headed by the Connecticut, be-
ing nearest shore
Admiral Thomas has made the fol-
lowing request of the Associated Press:
wish that you would convey my request to
the people Of California that as far as may be
possible they refrain from furnishing the men Of
neet vita inJUxl lcating liquors. | would con
slider It personal favor If they would do so.
reach q home port that some of the people are
ne no. ON hon Nam Anrfda ar
It part OF the entertainment, and perhaps il
Is. but # works bad end. The men thus
inclined TO drink, and drink too much
On board the ships liquor is prohibited and the
men are unaccustomed to Its use. When they
get ashore, thege is no such restraint. On the
way around South America the feet has made
an enviable record -eoT good conduct ashore. 1t
would be exceedingly regrettable, II upon reach
ing the United States again, this good reputa-
ton should be dimmed.
I appreciate that most people have the best
motives only In Offering LIQUOR to the enlisted
men, but il would be better for the men and the
navy In general If 1t were not done. ! sincerely
trust that it viii not be.
Admiral Thomas has announced the fol-
lowing schedule as the time the fleet
viii pass given points along the coast
on its way from San Diego to Los An
geles on April IS:
a. m, Point La Jolla (near Soledad); O.
a m, Encinitos; 10 a. m, oceanside; IL a. M,
between Los Flores and San Mateo point noon,
San Juan point; l:3o p. m, Newport beach; 2
p. m, Point Lssuen; p M. San Pedro bay.
A similar itinerary for points farther
north will be announced later. The
feet will pass close in shore.
DRILLED FOR PARADEs
Sailors and marines are being drilled
for the parades at San Diego and
elsewhere. on the quarter decks of
the ships at almost any hour can be
seen officers putting squads of men
through various drills. The drills
would be carried on ashore, but the
mainland is that of foreign country,
and the ships are not allowed to land
men bearing arms. Bandsmen and
buglers are busy on all ships.
With the exception of the Buffalo,
which leaves for the north today, and
the Ajax. which will remain with the
destroyer fotilla, the auxiliaries will
proceed to San Diego with the feet.
Within q fortnight the waters of Mag
dalena bay will again be bare of war
ships.