The Washington times., 1908-07-06
Womenfolk Plan to Greet
Officers at Asiatic
Ports.
BIG SHIPS PREPARE
TO SAIL TOMORROW
First Stop in Eight-Months' Cruise
TO Be Made at
Honolulu.

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, July g.
Rear Admiral SPerry's sixteen battle
chips will not make the only interesting
cruise around the world during the
next eight months. A little party Of
wives of navy officers have planned TO
follow the feet and greet their hus-
bands and friends in several Of the
ports OF call
Mrs. W. II. II. Switzerland, wife OF
Captain Switzerland. of the New Jer-
sey, and her two daughters left last
Tuesday for Honolulu. They Will be
followed on July IL. four days after the
fleets departure, by Mrs. Castleman,
wife of Lieut. K. G. Castleman, of the
Kansas; Mrs. Muslin, wife of Lieuten-
ant Muslin, and Mrs. Merriam. wife Of
Paymaster Merriam, OF the same ship;
Mrs. McNelly, wife or Lieutenant Nc
Nelly. of the Louisiana. and Mrs. Will
liams, wife of Major Dion Williams, feet
marine officer, who will steam on the
swift japanese liner Tenyo Maru; Mrs
Wade, wife Of Lieutenant Wade, of the
Ohio. will 90 70 Honolulu later, posi-
bly, not reaching there until after the
fleets departure, July %. but she will
join the others at Yokohama, where
they Will go after the battleships start
for New Zealand and Australia.
The Married Club" as IL WAS called
during the progress OF the feet up the
California coast, will not attempt the
long cruise in the British colonies, but
will spend the late summer and early
fall in Japan until the fleet comes 70
Yokohama in October. Then they Will
follow the ships TO Manila, where battle
target practice will occupy the month
Of November in Manila bay. The wo-
men plan their return so as TO meet the
feet in Colombo, at Port Said, and IN
the Mediterranean. where the battle
ships will divide between half a dozen
French and Italian ports
Visitors Throng Vessels.
Yesterday was the last Sunday Of the
Atlantic feet in a continental American
port for eight months, The ships in the
bay swarmed with visitors. the new and
old friends, who have made life pleas
ant here for officers and men. coming
of by every launch 10 say their good
bys
Assurance that the spiritual welfare
of the crews will be assisted will lie
given IN the presentation TO each ship
of a portable organ by P. P. Bilhorn, an
Evangelical organ manufacturer, OF Chi
cago.
Liberty for the enlisted men will ex-
Tire at o'clock this evening, so three
thousand took advantage Of their
chance yesterday to get ashore. In the
wardroous and cabins many fare
we'll lunches and dinners were given.
The wardroom mess Of the Vermont
gave on Saturday evening a dinner 70
which were hidden the wives OF al
the married officers.
Several engagements will be announced
on the eve Of the fleets departure.
making additions TO the number OF
eligible bachelor officers who have sue
cumbed TO the charms OF California
The neet will steam TUESDAY az 2
o'clock in the afternoon. and is due at
Honolulu about the same hour July Is.
passing at daylight Of that day the Ha-
Walian leper settlement in order to per-
nit the unfortunates TO catch a
glimpse Of the warships.
Ships in Fine Shape.
The vessels. according to Rear Ad-
IniraI Sperry. are in better shape than
when they left Hampton Roads last De
cember. The fire control system which
was only complete on a few Of the ships,
IS now thoroughly installed on each one.
The places Of the Alabama and the
Maine. which came around South
America with the fleet, and which sailed
from here June s, homeward bound. as a
special service squadron, have been
taken BY the Wisconsin and the Ne
braska. Capt. r. MorreIl. of the Wis
consin, has been retired and Commando
F c. Beattie. Of the cruiser Charleston,
has been assigned to the command OF
that ship. The Charleston is at Rreno-
erton, and Commander Beattie is ex,
pected TO arrive today To assume his
new duties.