Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-15
Big Shore Parade Will Occur This
Afternoon.
NOTHING LIKE IT ON RECORD
Gov. Gillett Will Preside-Gold
Key for Admiral Evans-Gold
Medals for Officers.

SAN DIEGO. Cal. April 15-The second
day OF the stay of the American battle
ship feet at this port is to be made nota-
ble by the landing Of the largest force OF
marines and bluejackets ever seen in a
short parade in any part of the United
States. Five thousand men and officers
are to be brought In from the ships, a
distance oh about two miles. or fifteen
miles by way of harbor entrances. and at
2:30 pm. will begin a march of a mile
and half from the water front to City
Park. where the set ceremonies of San
Diego's official welcome to the fleet are
to be held.
The landing Of this great force OF men
will entail a vast amount of work. as
they are all to be sent away In small
boats. towed by ship steam launches or
by tugs furnished by the San Diego recep-
ton committee. One company of marines
and four companies of blueJackets are
furnished by each ship. making a total
landing force Of eighty companies. These
companies are divided into five divisions:
q marine division, first. second, third and
fourth ship divisions.
illumination Tonight.
band of seventy-two musicians, fur
nished by the ships, will accompany each
OF the five divisions. The ceremonies at
City Park include addresses of welcome
by Gov. Gillett and Mayor Forward Ad-
miral Thomas will reply to each of these
and Will accept from the San Diego COM
mittee In custody for Rear Admiral Evans
a golden key to the city. Admirals Thom-
as. Sperry and Emery will be decorated
with golden medals commemorative OF
their visit. A medal has also been pre-
pared for Capt. Royal r. IngersolL VINO
Tonight there will be another tllumina-
ton of the feet and ball in honor OF
the naval officers at the Hotel Del Coro-
nado.
Great Marine Picture.
The battleship fleet sailed YESTERDAY on
summer. sea. Sapphire waters reflect
ing the deep blue Of a cloudiess southern
sky tropical islands jutting boldly out
OF the ocean In the path Of the western
horizon. mile of sandy beach crowded
with enthusiastic patriots proud to well
come the navy to California
In four regularly interyaled columns
Win hagsnlps leading and pointing the
way to the first home anchorage the fleet
mas found In its four months of cruis-
ing around the southernmost end of the
western hemisphere the sixteen ships
swept into the sheltered cove of the sea
behind the towering headlands of Point
Lama and halted for four days of merry
making for men and officers.
Gov James n. Gillett was here officially
10 welcome the fleet. and his call was
paid during the afternoon. Local com
mittees also went to the Connecticut to
tell Admiral Thomas. and through him
TO all the men of the fleet, how glad the
people OF California are to see such a
splendid representation of the American
navy as the battle fleet" constitutes.
Admirals Entertained.
Last night Admirals Thomas, Sperry And
Emery and the commanding officers and
members of the various STATS were en-
tertained at an elaborate, but informal,
dinner at the Hotel Del Coronado. The
beauty OF the days spectacle when. with
flashing signals and wonderfully executed
maneuvers. the ships were brought to an
chor In the lazy, rolling Pacific waters
was rvaled last night, when for three
hours every vessel was outlined in fire.
THOUSANDS OF incandescent bulbs were
strung along deck lines, up masts. far
out on the signal yard arms, I'D and down
the huge tunnels and down to the waters
edge at stem and stern. In fairylike form
letters six feet high the name of each yes
sci was spelled across its forward bridge
The glow of the lights flooded the sea for
thousands of yards away
During half an hour of the period of IL
Illumination searchlight display was
made, adding to the wonderful effect. The
flashing shafts of powerful white lights
were sent dancing over the waves, playing
now and then on the crowded beach OF
the brilliantly illuminated hotel then
l., o.
from the night the peaks of the Coatala
range of mountains. which mark the
boundary between Mexico and the United
States.
Red Fires Of Welcome.
On shore scores of red signal fires were
maintained throughout the evening as
welcome sign. and above all. high in the
reaches OF the sky. shone brilliant
southern moon. hurrying it's way to ro-
mantle fullness. The thousands who
tOurneyed from San Diego to the beaches
OF Coronado to witness the arrival Of the
fleet remained to view the beauties offered
by the night.
The fleet let go its anchors-all spla sh-
Ing IN the water with precision at 12:47
p pm.-Just thirteen minutes before the an
ehoring hour arrived. For two hours the
ships had been in sight and their coming
had been watched with wonder by the
waiting throngs So engrossed were they
IA eiAO DSoosy VI lpC oCcuc lEdt tneS 1Or-
got to cheer.
The splendid condition of the sbips was
manifested In every way. Out wardiy they
were the same sparkling. white and bun
units Of a powerful aggregation Of fight
Ing force that pointed their way out OF
Hampton roads on a home coast 1000
miles away. with the President showing
the way on his cruiser yacht the Nav
flower. Internally the ships were i'm bet
ter condition than when they started
engines working with the smooth thrust
and throw OF perfect bearing and careful
handling. and boilers making steam with
less consumption Of coal because of the
Increased efficiency in the firing rooms
The wash OF the waves along the water
line displayed from two to three feet OF
red artnor belts and showed comparative-
ly little sea growth. despite the long stay
In the temperate and tropical waters.
Thomas on the Bridge.
Rear Admiral Charles NJ. Thomas, COM
mariding, WAS on the bridge of the Con-
necticut as the fleet steamed to its an
chorage. The absence of Rear Admiral
Evans. who is Ill at Paso Robles, is deep
iy regretted on all Sides Admiral Thomas
at the dinner referred to the matter with
much feeling.
TO the left of the Connecticut steamed
the Georgia, flagship of Rear Admiral
Emery, commanding the second division,