The Washington herald., 1908-04-04
NEAR END
Fleet Soon Will Be Ready to
Leave for San Francisco.
REGRET EVANS DEPARTURE
Wen and Officers GreatIy Attached
TO the CommRnder-in-chie
VIII Look Their SmRrteSt When
Signal Comes to Hoist Anchor and
Sail Away from MaEdaIena Bay.

Magdalena Bay March 81. via san
Diego. Cal, April 3-The real work Of
the battle-ship fleet in this bav. namely
target practice. is practically completed
Io-morrow morning the practice of the
Kansas and Vermc.t. whose shooting has
oeen delayed because Of the need of pre-
liminary practice. those ships never hav-
ing shot until they came here. viii be
finished
me torpedo practice and mine laying
has all been done. and there remains
nothing 10 do but coal and paint ship and
wait until the various California recep-
tion committees finish up their work.
Then, when the signal to start for San
Francisco VIII be hoisted. all ships will
look their smartest.
The departure of Admiral Evans on
the Connecticut was regretted bv all
II he returns TO the flagship al Santa
Cruz he viii get a joyous welcome. The
simple truth is that this fleet has re-
gard for its cOmmander-in-chief that
amounts almost TO personal affection by
every man on the ship. The sailing Of the
Connecticut was marked not only by a
feeling Of sadness. but By forebodings.
II the admiral does come back the entire
feet viii throw up Its collective hats.
Thomas HOiSts AdmIrars FInx.
The Connecticut left at daylight. After
her departure the two-starred admirars
blue flag was run up on the Minnesota
and the other ships saluted Admiral
Thomas flag.
admiral Thomas does not become the
commander-in-chief during the absence Of
Admiral Evans. He is simply the senior
officer in command and has taken charge
Of routine matters.
The much talked of hospital ship Re-
lief. under the command of Dr. Stokes.
arrived here late last Friday night. She
came into the harbor under the cover OF
darkness Next day the transfer of the
sick from the various battle ships to the
Relief began. That day three surgical
operations We're performed Many of tbe
cases sent 10 the Relief were not serious
but il was thought that so long as there
was a floating hospital present. it would
be we'll 10 employ it as the sick bay of
ships.
Albany Sets New Record.
San Francisco. April 3.-The cruiser Al
bany, bearing the bronze trophy for the
highest score in target practice ever
made by any ship OF her class in the
American navy, and which is believed
to be the record for the navies of all
nations, arrived to-day. The Albany re-
turned from Magdalena Bay after an
absence Of nearly two months. and is TO
remain at this port until after Admiral
Evans squadron has arrived.
Although there have been vague REPORTS
indicating that the gunners On the Albany
had taken first place over the men on
all other ships of the navy. the first
complete report OF their excellent work
was not given out until to-day.
AT l,6OO yards the gunners Of the Albany
scored 60 hits out OF 66 shots with a target
OF j. by p feet, and with the vessel
travelling at 10 knots. The most remark
able feature Of this performance is The
fact that most Of these hits were bulI's-
eyes With speed that was marvellous
men on the cruiser handled both 5-incb
and S-pouaders. gaining great praise from
Admiral Swinburne