The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-31
FLEET WORKS HARD
TargetPractice tMagdalena
TwO-thirdS Over.
SHIPS SHOOT ALL DAY LONG
COnling Now Finished, but More sup
plies Will BE Taken On-AdmiraI
Thomas Denies story He Has been
Put in Charge-EvanS, Seriously Ill,
StiIl in Command of FIeet.-

Magdalena Bay, March % (via San
Diego, March SW.-The work Of target
practice by the feet is now two-thirds
finished.
While ii has been satisfactory in the
main, the scores Of none Of the ships or
guns has been given out. All such pub
lication must come from the Navy De-
partment.
1t has been a noisy time in this quiet
bay. Four ranges for the use Of the ships
were set UP, and from early in the morn
ing until late at night the sharp crack Of
small guns and the boom Of big ones have
been echoing over the water. There is
only one ship at a time on a given range.
The scores are adjudged by umpires. The
work here has also included the laying OF
mines and torpedo practice. The Vermont
and Kansas, the newest arrivals to Join
the feet, had no previous opportunity for
shooting, but they have had preliminary
practice.
Magdalena Bay was apparently made
by nature for target practice. There is no
shipping in it, and ashore there is only
one village, which contains $50 people.
The water is deep and smooth. and there
is perfect anchorage at almost any place.
All the coaling Of the fleet is now fin
ished, but it IS probable that the ships
Will take on further supplies just before
they start for California.
Thomas Is Surprised.
Rear Admiral Thomas was much sur
prised on his arrival here to read in the
newspapers that Rear Admiral Evans had
transferred command Of the feet 20 him
at Callao. Since that time there have
been further rumors to the same effect.
but stating that the transfer was made
here. Rear Admiral Thomas authorizes
the following:
There Is absolutely no truth in the
story that Rear Admiral Evans has
transferred his command to me. Never
has it even been contemplated. There
has not been a day that Rear Admiral
Evans has not had full grasp Of the
duties of supreme command. It has been
my great pleasure 10 represent him So
cially from time TO time. but it is unjust
to him and to me to print that he has
transferred his command TO me. Please
deny it absolutely"
Admiral Evans health is improving
slowly. His sole reason for asking that
he be relieved of his command is that he
gains strength slowly.
Evans Rheumatism Severe.
The attack Of rheumatism. TO which he
has been subject for many years. was
severe. and it has left him in a weak
condition Nevertheless. even when he
was in pain, he attended to his duties
Twice while at Rio de Janeiro. the cor
respondent of The Washington Herald
was with him when he was fiat on his
back, yet he was then debating CORE
spondence. signing papers. and giving di-
rectons about the fleet. Everything was
reported 20 him during the cruise. and
he ordered every move that ,was made.
He went over the charts of the Straits
of Magellan inch By inch personally. and
during the passage Of that waterway he
took personal charge Of the fleet. Every
thing was done under his direction. He
now feels that after five years continu-
Gus service. he is entitled to the fullest
opportunity to recuperate. He cannot
gain strength at sea as he could on land
He will take the fleet 10 San Francisco.
and there haul down his flag. After
short rest he will proceed TO Washing |
ton. His son, Lieut.. Evans. of the Lou
isiana, will go with him. but will return
Ia lis ship.
Able tO Sit on Bridge.
Admiral Evans is able to sit on hiSt
bridge for several hours each day. and
he has also been on the quarterback. He /
on the Connecticut while the
flagship was engaged in target practice. |
No i'll results followed the noise and con- !
cussion.
Capt. Ingersoll. chief of staff. and Lieut.. /
Commander Chandler, flag secretary. will /
also go East from San Francisco.
The officers and men CT the feet are I
at the announcement of the trip |
10 Australia. 1t is believed that thie trip
viii greatly reduce the number Of dtser- |
lions at home ports.
The fleet is now shaken down into a |
init Valuable data has been secured rs
% cruising radius and engine strength.