The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1908-05-14
FLEET ARRIVES
At SAN FRANCISCO
Business Suspended for the Day,
While People Of the West Greet
the Nations Defenders.
Forty.four Vessels Pass Through Col
den Gate and Are Now Anchored
In the Bay south Of the Mar
ket street Ferry Ter
minas.

San Francisco.-After weeks of ex.
pectation the people of the great west
were given a chance on Wednesday
to welcome the Atlantic battleship
feet, which, after record-breaking
cruise of more than fourteen thou
sand miles, steamed through the
rocky portals of Golden Gate and
came to rest in the San Francisco
harbor. The white anchored, four
starred blue flag of the secretary of
the navy, flying from the mainmast
Of the trim little gunboat Yorktown.
fluttered the welcome OF the nation,
while Che governor OF California, the
mayor of San Francisco, and the peo-
pie Of hundred towns and cities
voiced the greetings OF the en.husias
tic west az the long-looked-for feet
steamed majestically up the bay.
Once inside the entrance to the bay
the heavy vessels of the eastern
coast were Joined by the armored
cruisers of the entire Pacific fleet,
and the navy of the nation-all save
a few newly commissioned or re-
served ships on the Atlantic, and
some patrol boats scattered In the
Orlent--joined In a parade which for
impressive beauty and strength OF
fighting timber has never been
equaled Forty-four vessels, ranging
from the 16,000-ton Connecticut and
the FIVE sisters of her class. down to
the tiny torpedo boats, no larger than
q racing launch, passed through the
harbor to the anchorage grounds,
south of the Market street ferry ter
minals.
The parade and the maneuvers Of
anchoring occupied full four hours
of time, and gave to the people who
made black the hills of the city, the
islands of the harbor, house tops and
mountain heights twenty miles away,
the most wondrous naval spectacle
they have ever known. San Fran
cisco, Oakland and other cities near
by all took holiday to witness the
coming of the fleet. There was
complete cessation of business, and
the streets In the down town sections
were absolutely desertd. Banks and
business houses were closed for the
day, and everybody flocked to the
hillsides overlooking the gateway
and the harbor. More people came
into the city Tuesday night and We'd
nesday morning than left during the
terror and homeless days following
the fire.
Rear Admiral Robley d. Evans,
commander in chief of the Atlantic
fleet, and just now in command OF
the assembled ships of both oceans,
stood on the after bridge of the Con-
necticut as the famous flagship led
the way through the harbors gate
and until she came to anchor at the
head OF the battleship column.
After the feet had anchored the
government customs launch Hartly
put off from Mission street wharf,
bearing Mayor Taylor and the recep-
tion committee, to pay the city's Of
fetal greeting and proclaim formal
welcome to Rear Admiral Evans and
the sailors. The Hartly reached the
at 3 o'clock, and between
files of marines with arms at present
the mayor and the committee were
received on the quarter deck of the
Connecticut and taken below" to the
cabin hall to meet the admiral.
Hearty greetings were exchanged be-
tween the admiral, mayor and the
members OF the reception committee
After the ceremonies of the official
call were over, Mayor Taylor and the
boarded the Hartly and
came ashore.
Following the official call Admirn'
Evans came ashore and was taken "
the st. Francis hotel to meet his wife