The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-05-05
BattIeships, Cruisers and Minor Ships
Wait Coming Of Commander Before
Sailing Tomorrow on Journey to the
Golden Gate-c Crowds inspect the
Vessels Despite Storm.

miral Sperry, came across Monterey
bay, arriving at $50 this afternoon.
The fotilla came in at 1880.
Admiral Thomas tonight moved
from the Connecticut to the Mime
sofa, although his flag Of senior rear
admiral still flies at the main truck
of the former.
The Connecticut is to proceed to
Monterey at $3.50 in the morning and
take on board Admiral Evans, who re-
turns to resume active command Of
the fleet. The admiral will go aboard
about $3.50 o'clock and the flagship
will return at once to Santa Cruz, ar
riving here at about II o'clock.
No ceremonies whatever will attend
the return Of Rear Admiral Evans.
When the Connecticut leaves port to.
morrow the blue flag of Admiral
Thomas will be run down from the
main mast and he will hoist his red
pcnnant on the Minnesota. AS soon
as Admiral Evans is aboard the Con-
necticut at Monterey he will hoist his
nag as commander-in-chief.
Torpedo Flotilla 4in Storm.
The torpedo hotilla fought every
inch Of the way from San Pedro
against a strong head wind that
caused big waves to break over the
bows and wash the decks from stem
to stern. The screens of the bridges
and every loose article about the
decks we're washed away. Nearly
every man on board was seasick DUR
ing the trip. No serious damage OF
any kind resulted. however.
The fiotilla came into the bay this
afternoon in signal column and steam
ing at full speed. AS they passed
between the Connecticut and Kansas
on the way to short the steam whistle
on the beach began to screech out a
welcome to the little craft. They
proceeded well In toward the beach
and anchored thousand yards from
the first squadron. Hundreds Of peo-
pie lined the beach and cheered the
crews Of the flctilla.
The hospital ship Relief also came
into the bay shortly after noon to-
day. She took on board number Of
sick from the different ships Of the
feet and will return to San Fran.
cisco either tonight or tomorrow
morning.
other Ships 10 Join Fleet.
Admiral Thomas has ordered that
she go to Can Francisco in advance
Of the feet and put the patients
ashore, returning to join the feet out
side the bay at 9 o'clock on the morn
ing Of May s, or as near that hour
as possible.
The Yankton and the Glacier, the
only auxiliaries remaining with the
fleet, will accompany 1t. TO San Fran
cisco. The Culgoa, Panther and
Arethusa, now at San Francisco, are
also ordered to Join the feet outside
Of the golden gate.
The Nebraska and Wisconsin will
also join the Atlantic feet at the
lightship on the night Of May 5. The
former will take up her position at
the rear Of the first squadron and the
Wisconsin at the rear rsof the second
squadron in line as It steams into
San Francisco bay. The Pacific fleet
will Join at Angel island, as ordered
yesterday by Secretary Metcalf.
Thomas to Command May Q.
Admiral Thomas viii succeed Ad.
miral Evans as commander-in-chief
on May 9. On that day Admiral Evans
win haul down his pennant with a
salute Of 13 guns from the ships. Ad-
miral Thomas viii receive honors
when his colors are broken out.
| Admiral Thomas stated that he will
reside ashore during his incumbency
as commander-in-chief. He will have
his quarters at the Fairmont hotel
with his family, maintaining ofncial
headquarters on the Connecticut
where he vii, go each day to attend
his duties. He win be succeeded By
Admiral sperry in command Of the
fleet ON May Is.
! Several hundred school childrs.