Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-06
FLEET SAILS TODAY
Ships Await Turn of Tide to
Lift Anchors and Away.
JACKIEs BROUGHT ABOARD
Clouds of Smoke Roll Out From
Forest of tunnels.
DEPART AT 2 P. NJ, COAST TIME
Launches Busy Plying Between Yes
sells and Shore Carrying Last
Messages.
JACKIES BROUGHT ABOARD
DEPART AT 2 P. M, COAST TIM

SAN FRANCISCO. July 6.-Today is the
last day in this harbor for the Atlantic
battleship fleet. For the first time since
the arrival of the ships San Francisco
streets are free of wandering groups Of
sightseeing jackies.
Through the night squads of determined
men, armed with weighty arguments in
the shape Of stout police ''Dillies. "
searched every nook and Granny Of the
city. gathering in the struggling sailor
men and shipping them by the launch
load to their vessels.
The fleet is swinging at anchor in the
stream awaiting the turn Of the tide
Tuesday afternoon. Then the ships will
set their course out through the Golden
sea.
teen great fighting machines present a
striking picture as they ride to theif
anchors on ''man-of-war" row. The great
guns glowering from the turret easements
have been polished and polished again.
until the beams of the morning sun strike
answering flashes from each glistening
monster Of the fleet.
Engineers Have Steam Up.
Clouds of dark smoke have been rolling
I'D from the forest of tunnels ever since
break OF day. telling of the work that is
going on down in the depths Of each ship.
Launches are fitting from ship to ship
and from ship to shore on countless busy
trips carrying last messages to and from
the men who are taking Uncle Sans big
sea fighters around the world and back
again.
1t will be close to pm. when the tide
marks the flood, and then. with the pull
OF the ebb helping them out to open sea.
the fleet will weigh anchor and steam
away for Honolulu, the first stop in the
worldwide journey. There will be no
fuss or ceremony to mark their going.
When the signal fiags that spell get
ready in the language of the sea go
dancing to the signal yard of the Con-
necticul the ships will get aboard their
anchors and drop into line behind the
flagship with only the dipping OF flags
and the hoarse boots of a few whistles 10
wish them God-speed.
Supplies All on Board.
The markets of the city have been taxed
to their limit to supply the fleet with
stores that cram the lockers. For months
quantities of coal have been fed into
the yawning bunkers. Down in the mag
azine rooms great projectiles and mighty
charges of pow der have been stored tier
on tier.
Everything is in readiness for the long
trip It needs but motion from the
hand of Rear Admiral Charles s. Sperry,
commander Of the fleet, to set the whole
sixteen ships to steamfng in answer to
his signaled commands.
Three cases of typhoid fever were dis
covered on the Nebraska yesterday. The
sick men were removed to the Marine
Hospital here.
Formal presentation of sixteen portable
organs, one to each ship. was made yes
terday The organs are the gift OF the
Los Angeles Y. M. c. A.
Coming Back to San Diego.
SAN DIEGO. July 6.-Admiral Sebree.
in command Of the naval division now
here. stated last night that eight armored
cruisers and a like number of torpedo
boat destroyers, which will leave San
Francisco next month for trip to the
Hawaiian Islands, will come directly to
this port on their return trip from Homo
lulu. ,.
They are due to arrive here the latter
part of October. After a stay here they
will 20 to Magdalena bay for target prac-
tice.
On the voyage to Honolulu the torpedo
craft will be towed by the cruisers.
Admiral Sebree added that the Tonnes
see. Washington and California. and the
three destroyers, now here. will leave
Tuesday for San Francisco. The destroy
ers will be lowed by the cruisers to that
mort