Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-15
Big FLEET ARRIVES.
CONTINUED from Page one.)

ond division, and in. her wake were
the Rhode. Island. Virginia and New
Jersey. The third line from the shore
was headed by the Alabama, flagship
of Rear Admiral Sherry. who is now in
command of the second squadron and
third division. but soon is to be the
senior officer of the entire feet. With
the Alabama were the Illinois, Kear-
sarge and Kentucky. The fourth and
outward column was headed by the
Maine, with Captain Giles B. Harbor.
flying triangular flag of blue from
the main truck, denoting temporary
command of the division. which in
cluded the Missouri, Ohio and Mime
sofa So.
When about mile and half off
shore a four-hoist signal flashed from
the forward arm of the Connecticut.
Stand by TO anchor it was read. and
in thesspace of a few seconds answer
ing signals in duplicate were broken
out frsin-iau of, the ships. Speed cones
hanging from yard arms on the flag
ships gradually descended and the
white combing bow waves in front of
the advancing ships grew fainter and
fainter until only the wash of the blue
waves against the cut waters was left
and the ships stood motiOnless. AL
most simultaneously anchors were
loosened and the splash of water and
the heavy iron hooks dragging several
tons of heavy chain after them into
the sea told of the safe arrival home
of the most noted Of Americas fleet
AS soon as the Connecticut let go her
anchors Col. Thomas Wilhelm. U. $, A.,
retired, on. the staff of Gov Gillette as
assistant inspector. general. put out from
shore and was received on board the flag
ship Hhe presented compliment of the
governor to Admiral Thomas and said the
chief executive of California wished to
call and pay his respects and formally
extend a welcome to Californian waters.
Admiral Thomas replied that he would
be glad to receive Gov. Gillette and his
stan at $50 p. NJ. At that hour the gov
ernor, accompanied by the uniformed
members of his staff repaired aboard the
flagship taking "A government launch
from the Coronado pier. Lieut.. Gov.
Warner r. Porter also was a mcnlbe" of
the party. -
AS the party went. on board from the
starbOard gangway. the ships were man
ned and all the officers of the ship were
drawn up at attention on the forward
deck. Gov, Gillette was shown to the
cabin, where Admiral Thomas received
him. They returned Immediately to the
deck and there Gov. Gillette made Il
brief address of welcome to California
At the conclusion of the governor adj
dress Admiral Thomas called for three
cheers for the governor and the people
of California; They were given with Il
will, the admiral himself leading.
As the governor piped over the
side of the Connecticut salute of Il
guns was fired in his honor. Mayor John
f. Forward of the city of San Diego and
others of the fleet committee also went
on board the Connecticut during the af-
ternoon and received cordial welcome
from Admiral Thomas. ..A
Attended by members of his personal
staff Admiral Thomas returned Gov. Gil
le,te's visit at the Hotel Del Coronado
this evening The dinner to the fiag and
commanding officers tonight was purely
a private subscription affair and the adj
dresses were informal. Gov. Gillette was
among the guests. ''4
san DlekO toiHSHl was IL
luminsted, ctke elaborate Scheme 6f' deco
ration which had been carried out includ-
ing a night display of exceptional beauty.
San Diego, Cal, April 14.-Its long
and notable cruise through. the South
ern seas .afd the changing chimes of
the Western. hemisphere ended. the
American .battleship fleet. now under
immediate command of Rear Admiral
Charles M. Thomas. returned to home
waters today. 1t east anchor off Co
ronado beach at | O'Clock this after
noon. The four days Of the scheduled
Stay Of the l6 ships will be marked by
a ceaselcss round of gaieties. Dinners.
dances and picnics for the officers, free
theaters. wild West shows. fruit and
good things to eat for the enlisted men
are Included in the long and variegat-
ed program.
The California cities have impatient
" awaited the coming of the ships and
their joy now knows no bounds
Scarcely had the big white vessels left
Hampton Roads before the official
committees, of welcome had been
named along the Pacific coast The
plans ana preparations have been go
ing ahead steadily since that time and
now the last of the details have been
completed. |
The 1eet has practically an entire |
month of merEymaking before it. for !
after San Diego extends the first of
the welcomes. there comes Il week at
Los Angeles. five days at Santa Bar
bara. five days divided between Mon
tsrey and Santa Cruz and 10 days of |
more in San Francisco.
Governor Gillett of California was |
here IS the representative of the state |
to Voice the welcome of the entire peo-
pie of the Pacific coast Thousands of |