The San Francisco call., 1908-05-07
THOUSANDS WATCH
FROM FORT MASON
Somber Hills on Marin Shore
Form Effective Background
for Fighting Machines

Fully $4,000 persons viewed the en-
gate from the military reservation at
Fort Mason and the vantage points
in its immediate vicinity. From no.
where could the spectacle have been
more imposing and inspiring. The
somber hills on the Marin shore formed
a most effective background for the
white and buff of the long line of
fighting machines as they ma5estically
passed the frowning but friendly forti-
fications on either hand. The picture
that was presented as the Connecticut
swept past the fort just as the last
ship of the fleet put in appearance
at the harbor mouth made a never to be
forgotten impression upon the multi
tude.
The smoke from the guns at the Pre-
sfdio, as they belched forth their sa-
lutte to the fleet, interfered somewhat
with the view of the spectacle at points
farther westward. but simply served
to enhance the effectiveness of the pa
geant from Fort Mason. The flashes
of the guns at Fort Baker and the
answering fire of the Connecticut were
plainly visible at intervals through
the smoke.
ILLUMINATED BY SUNLIGHT
1t was when just about opposite Fort
Mason that the ships merged from the
shadow In which they had been sailing
into the harbor and the effect as the
sunlight burst upon each of them in turn
was exquisitely beautiful. The proxim-
ity of the ships as they passed between
Alcatraz island and the shores Of the
peninsula was an advantage which
watchers at other points did not enjoy
and enabled the camera hends to snap
to their hearts content.
The fact that the ships of the Pacific
squadron were all the time in plain
view and that their junction with the
Atlantic fleet could be witnessed added
to the pleasure of the Fort Mason
contingent.
Through the courtesy of the military
authorities the entire reservation had
been thrown open to the general pub
lie. with the exception of the officers
inclosure and the battery inclosure.
The upper slopes of the latter had
been reserved for members of the con-
sular corps. officers of the department
and their friends. The lower slope
was devoted to the use of the enlisted
men and their guests. The gathering
on the upper slope was brilliant
one. but there was no attempt at for
mality.
CONSULAR PARTY SERVED
Refreshments were served to the
members of the consular party under
the direction of representatives of the
feet committee.
General Funston was prominent
figure in the officers inclosure and
played host to a party OF personal
friends Z
Aside from the enjoyment which the
edifying spectacle to which they were
treated afforded them, the crowd an
parently managed to extract no little
pleasure from the outing that the oe-
casion furnished. The majority had
come Well fortified with lunch baskets
and this served to give decidedly
picnicky air to the gathering
Considerable interest was taken bv
the crowd in a long string OF kites
which were flown from the reservation
high in the air. 1t was learned that
the kites were being used to support
a large camera with which an attempt
was made to secure a :birdseye
panoramic view OF the fleet as it
wended its way through the Golden
gate.