Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-19
MAYOR HARPER
WELCOMES FLEET
FLASHES MESSAGE ACROSS
WATER
COMMANDERS REPLY WITH
GREETINGS
city's Executive and Party OF Promi-
nent Citizens Journey Down the
Coast on Steamer to Meet
War Vessels

The first knowledge that straining
eyes had been rewarded was a murmur
when a distant smokestack was noticed
from the upper deck sending a thin
thread of smoke gave the cue. In a
moment the word had passed through
the passengers as swiftly and silently
as a wireless message, and positions OF
vantage were Immediately taken.
The stack was visible more plainly
after a while and then piercing eyes
traced ship after ship.
The fleet was coming,
There was cheer, then silence and
WONDER and then at intervals grow
ing, spreading enthusiasm seemed to
act as a safety valve for suppressed
excitement. Each told the other that
the fleet had come at last: Adjectives
were hauled out for use, and the cam
era owners examined their machines
carefully.
Sight the Monsters
Ten minutes later the salmon-colored
fighting tops, turrets and superstruc-
lures began to be outlined against the
horizon. The contrast was beautiful
The huge line was slowly melting into
view, the outlines of the battleships pe-
came visible and in five minutes more
II was possible to count the craft. They
seemed to be veering toward shore as
hint for visiting boats to steam out
TO sea.
Minute by minute as the boats speed
ing southwark neared the armada the
view became more distinct ana the
spectacularly grand picture developed.
1t was seen then that they were
steaming in line formation at equidis-
tant intervals, the auxiliary steamers
off to one side alone breaking the PAN
Drama.
BY 1:3O the fleet was clearly in the
view, and the Hermosa had turned
around to start the northern journey Oh
the home stretch. The turn had been a
bit slow. for the speed of the fighting
craft outdistanced that of the well
coming boat.
Exchange SaIutes
As soon as the Connecticut, leading,
came in sight, whistles on the Hermosa
were blown and the battleship whistle
answered On the sides, decks and tops
of the flagship the tars were looking
out, and the cheering was renewed re-
peatedly.
Commander Woodbine's two signal
men took their stations aloft and began
sending signals to the fleet, the sema-
phore men there repeating them TIL
they reached the proper ship. Inc nrst
message was to the auihirai cohiiAiaAo
ing, as follows:
.'If YOU desire a pilot for safe en-
trance to the harbor inside breakWater
will tender our services. Capt. John-
son, government pilot"
The reply came Immediately:
THANK you very much for the oner.
Flash Messages
Mayor Harper flashed this message
through one of his representatives who
had been previously delegated:
Los Angeles and her 100000 citizens
welcome you most cordially"
Another to the commander OF tne
Connecticut read:
"Beswick and Wilbur, on board Her
mosa, present compliments"
Compliments were returned at once.
Both Messrs Beswick and Wilbur were
classmates at Annapolis of Lieutenant
Commander Chandler of the Connecti-
cut.
Commander e. J. Louis sent this mesr
sage:
"Present compliments to Admiral
Thomas and his fleet for myself and
friends. We are glad to meet you once
more"
Prompt acknowledgement was made.
Another was addressed to j. b. Elliott
of the Associated Press, on board the
Kansas, reading:
Regards and congratulations for the
entire fleet from the entire fleet recep-
tion committee and friends aboard the
Hermosa. Pitt P. Hand"
Another to the Vermont read:
1.-THE entire fleet committee sends
greetings"
From a former st. Louis newspaper
man this message was sent to Com
mander Greenleaf A. Merriam of the
Missouri;
Congratulations from former Mis-
sourians who want to show YOU Hugh
X. Hartung, Los Angeles Herald"
F. 1. Herrin of the chamber Of COM
merce sent this message TO the battle
ship Illinois:
"Send regards to Captain Bowyer.H
By the time the signals had been sent
San Pedro was neared and the tre-
mendous oYation on larger scale was
repeated and continued at the big har-
bor port which Uncle Sam has taken
into his loving care