The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-05-15
1.-THE big FLEET on
FULL DRESS PARADE
Metcaf Reviews Long Line o.
AFmoreIads.

San Francisco Especially The
combined Atlantic and Pacific fleets
of battleships., armored cruisers, tor
pedo-boat destroyers and auxiliaries
laggregating weight of displacement
the enormous total of more than
four hundred thousand tons-the
greatest assemblage of armorclads
thus far to mark the progress of
the American Navy to second rank
among the floating forces of the
world-were reviewed in picturesque
San Francisco harbor Friday by Sec
rotary of the Navy Metcalf.
The A vessels of the two fleets
lay at archor in four long columns,
and proceeding from the Oakland
shore, the Secretary on board the
little gunboat Yorktown reminder
of the days when the Navy was in
its infancy - proceeded southwark
through the lines formed by the ar
mored cruisers of the Pacific fleet
nearest the Oakland shore and the
second squadron of the Atlantic
fleet, headed by the Minnesota
Turning back to the north at the
end Of these two lines. the York
town traversed the lane formed on
the starboard by the battleships of
the first Atlantic squadron and on
the port by the grim little destroy
ers.
The day was brilliant with sun
shine, and a signing breeze from the
west set the waters of the hill-pro-
tected bay dancing in whitecapped
waves. The heavy battleships and
cruisers, gay with auttering signals
flags of full dress, paid no heed to
the whistling wind, but the destroy
ers rolled and swayed in the trough
of the seas.
Hills Black With People.
Excursion craft crowded about the
anchorage area and gave the patrol
boats plenty of work. They added
many touches of color to the scene,
however, and gave the people of the
bay cities who again made black the
hillsides their second splendid water
pageant within three days. The re-
view, however, was the last of the
show features on the waters, for soon
the ships will be departing, some to
others of the Pacific fleet starting
SOuIA OA q pA6StACG CAukSOs
Rear Admiral Evans, who had
hoped to end his active naval career
by participating in the official cere-
monies. was not permitted by his at
tending physician to go aboard the
Connecticut. Rear Admiral Charles
M. Thomas was again the senior Of
ficer. Admiral Evans, who returned
to the fleet at Santa Cruz the day
before it sailed through the Golden
Gate, in completion of the originally
planned cruise, has made his home
on shore at the St. Francis Hotel
since the afternoon of the arrival.
He rode. in the long parade and was
quite fatigued by the trip.
Thomas Brief Command.
Admiral Evans leavetaking of the
fleet thus will date from the journey
through the Golden Gate, when, clad
in the double-breasted frock coat of
"undress b. the official uniform for
entering port, he stood upon the
bridge Of the flagship for the last
time.
Accompanied by members of his
family and by officers of his personal
staff, Admiral Evans will leave for
his home in Washington, where he
will remain awaiting orders until the
date of retirement on his sixty-second
birthday, August IS.
Admiral Thomas will be in COM
mand of the Atlantic fleet only until
May 15, when he, too, hauls down
his flag for all time, to return home
on waiting orders until his retire
ment in the fall.
Rear Admiral Charles M. Sperry
will resume command with the de-
parture of Admiral Thomas.