Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-05-08
Big Parade at
San Francisco.

San Francisco, May Eight thou
sand bluejackets and marlnes--tne
largest armed force the American navy
has eyer nut ashore in time Of peace or
war-.were landed today from the COM
hined Atlantic-Pacific fleets now lying
in the haroor of San Francisco. and
marched through the streets of this
city in the most notable parade the
city has ever known. For tour miles
and a half along the streets lined and
canopicd with colors the fighting men
of the fleets made their way to the
martial tunes of their shlpmates
bands and to the cheers that began
with the first command to march I'M
til the sailormen had again embarked
in the boats and returned to the pat
tleships. twenty-five hundred soldiers
of the regular army graciously acted
as an escort to the visitors and were
literally applauded.
Rear Admiral Evans, commanding
the fleets, and the six other rear ad-
mirals in command of squadrons ana
divisions of it rode in carriages. Ad-
miral Evans was quickly recognized
by the thousands in the immense re-
viewing stands and this recognition
was marked by steady cheering as his
carriage moved slowly ahead OF the
marching columns. Secretary of the
Navy Metcalf. Gov Gillett of Califor-
mia end Mayor Taylor of San Francis
co rode in the parade and afterward
reviewed it as it cOuntermarchcd
down Van Ness avenue.
Besides the soldiers and sailors there
were large representations from the
National Guard and from semi-mil-
tary veteran and civic organizations.
battalion of little High school ca
diets from Salt Lake City acted as per-
scnal escort to Admiral Evans, in tok
en- of his having been appointed to the
Naval Academy from Utah
The marines, 1900 strong, in uni
forms Of blue canvas and leggins and
white caps, with their striking red
coated bands in advance. headed the
forces of the two fleets Major Dion
Williams, fleet marine officer on the
flagship Connecticut, attended by q
staff was in command. The pictur-
esque biuejackets in their blouses of
the sea. their jaunty little white caps,
their trousers carefully slowed away
iE legCins and with service rifles across
their shoulders. were commanded by
Capt. Seaton Schroeder of the Virginia,
who is soon to be elevated to the rank
Of rear admiral.
The landing of the great force OF
sailors and marines involved problems
of small workmanship and active abil-
ity which was at once a test and tri-
umph Of efficiency. 1t was accomplish
ed with a dispatch that knew no con-
fusion. Sailing launches, gigs and
whale boats were formed by the var-
Gus ships Of tine two fleets into divi-
sions and fiotillas and under command
OF specially designated small boat cap
tains and admirals were towed tar
dem fashion by the sturdy little
steam launches to the landing barges.
The route of the parade which was
the feature of the day, lay up Mar
kAt street from the famous Ferry ter
minals to Van Ness avenue and up the
latter to Washington street, where the
counter march was made. After the
parade was dispersed the officers were
driven over other sections of the city
than those traversed and were shown
the progress of reconstruction.
Tomorrow Sec Metcalf will review
the anchored fleets in the bay from
the sunboat Yorktown. At the Fair
mont hotel today Gov Gillett and his
star entertained at dinner in honor
OF Sec. Metcalf and the flag and COM
manding officer of the fleet. Admiral
Evans was unable to attend, his place
being taken by Rear Admiral Thomas.
who responded to the welcome to the