The San Francisco call., 1908-07-17
Thousands of Spectators Greet
Atlantic Fleet With Enthusi=
aSm and Patriotic Cheers
Flags of All Nations Float on
HOusetOps of City Beside
the Stars and Stripes
Cosmopolitan Crowd Joins DEM
OnstratiOn Over Arrival of
Ships Without Accident


lantc battleship feet arrived here at
noon today, completing another long
leg in its world cruise.
As one powerful vessel after an
other rose out of the eastern horizon
and came in the range of vision the
spectacle was magnificent beyond
anything ever seen in these waters.
Thousands of spectators from the
whole Hawaiian group of islands
thronged Diamond head and adjoin-
ing heights that stretch beyond Wal
lziki eastward from Honolulu TO the
extremity of the island Of Oahu. The
DAY opened cloudy and threatening
rain. but by 9:39 o'clock, when the
lookout on Diamond head first deserted
through his telescope the smoke Of
the Connecticut. the southern half Of
the sky was clear and only f1eeting
clouds obscured the northern half.
The city was astir early and the pill
Erimage TO Diamond head and other
points Of vantage began with street
cars jammed, automobiles and gayly
decked carriages crowded with eager
people Many rode on horseback,
while others fastened on board eX-
cursion craft in the bay.
MANY NATIONS REPRESENTED
Upon the first notification of the
sighting of the fleet the excursion
steamers hurried out of the harbor and
as the warships rounded Diamond
head and came into view Of the city
they We're greeted by cosmopolitan
crowd. Men, women and children of all
rn nm
Honolulu's population We're perched on
the roofs OF the tan buildings. There
were japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Hin
docs Hawaiians. Portuguese, Span
iards. Porto Ricans, FilipinOs and peO-
pie from every European country and
every state in the union
Nearly all the spectators carried
American flags and from the house
tops of the city beside the stars and
stripes f7oated the hdgs Of almost
every nation. Chinese and Japanese
flags predOminating.
The formation Of the feet began to
be distinguished when ii was about IS
miles distant. As it plowed it's course
along the southern coast Of the island
the vessels moved slowly in perfect
column and a wind fresh from the
northeast blew their smoke off the
port bow.
At noon the Connecticut hove to at
the outer entrance Of the channel and
the other vessels took position. The
Illinois. Kearsarge and Kentucky
anchored westward Of the channel en-
trance; the Georgia. Nebraska, New
Jersey and Rhode Island TO the east
ward. At 1890 o'clock the Connecticut
slowly entered the channel, surrounded
by a japanese fishing feet, firing day
light fireworks Of many and curious de-
signs.
When the Connecticut was about to
enter the harbor she was greeted by a
salute from the naval station. The
Wisconsin. Minnesota and Vermont fol-
lowed after the Connecticut.
Immense crowds covered the wharves
and the most intense interest and
patriotism were displayed, finding ex-
preston in cheers and the discharging
Of daylight fireworks
After passing Molokai the third di-
vision, composed of the Louisiana, Vir-
ginia, Ohio and Missouri, proceeded to
Lahaina, on the island of Maui, for
coal
This afternoon Rear Admiral Sperry
and Governor Frear exchanged official
visits.
TRIP WITHOUT ACCIDENT
During the entire run to Honolulu
the feet experienced pleasant weather
and smooth seas. For two hours or
more GdilAs except on sunday Llle meet
practiced tactical evolutions, and at the
same time all routine drills were car
ried on. No noteworthy incident oc-
Cured on the entire voyage, and as a
matter of fact this, the first leg of a
long cruise, was rather more unevent-
ful than is usual
The feet never had to stop or slow
down. nor did any of the ships have
TO fall out of formation through acci-
dents to machinery or steering gear.
The health of the crews has been
very good and there have been no
deaths or serious accidents since leav-
ing san Francisco.
The Nebraska, which was left be-
hind when the feet sailed from the
Golden gate, on account of scarlet fever
cases among her crew, overlook the
feet at 6:S0 o'clock yesterday morn
ing.
The third division, which went to
Lahaina for coal. VIII come to Homo
lulu July 19 and rejoin the other yes
sells Of the feet.
Honolulu is dressed in bunting to-
night and Illuminated with thousands
of incandescent lights. The streets are
filled with a holiday crowd Out in the
harbor searchlights are flashing and
the ships are outlined in light. their
masts and electric crosses standing out
against a southern sky
FOR FLEET ENTERTAINMENT