Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1908-05-06
DESTINATION IS REACHED
San Francisco Welcomes the Big Bat
tIeship Fieet-A Most Remark
able Voyage Ended.
Special to the Herald.

Special to the Herald.
San Francisco, Cal, May 6.-The
American fleet of battleships, 142
days out from Hampton Roads, reach
ed its destination today. Accompa
MED by the ships of the Pacific coast
squadron, torpedo boat destroyers
and auxiliaries, the whole making a
mighty fleet of nearly fifty ships of
war, the sixteen great battleships that
rounded the Horn steamed majestical-
ly into the Golden Gate this after
noon, marking the end of one of the
greatest naval achievements ever re-
corded in times of peace.
The voyage that has aroused discus
sion in naval circles all over the
world is now an accomplished fact
The great fighting machines are this
afternoon riding the waters of San
Francisco harbor looking as trim and
as spotless as when they ploughed
their way out of Hampton Roads on
December 16 last Admiral Evans and
his $4,000 memo warsmen, pardon
ably proud of duty well performed,
are ready to partake of the lavish en-
tertainment provided in their honor
by the people of San Francisco and
vicinity.
It was nearly noon when the ships
were sighted at the entrance to the
famed Golden Gate. The ships came
through the channel in single file, the
flagship Connecticut leading the way.
1t was sight never to be forgotten
by those fortunate enough to view it. |
Guns doomed, flags fluttered, bands |
played and the people cheered. The |
bay was dotted with gaily decorated |
pleasure craft of all descriptions |
Thousands of people lined the shore
and blackened the promontories jut-
ting into the sea.
The Atlantic fleet sailed through |
the Golden Gate alone, but the ships /
Of the Pacific fleet joined them at |
Angel Island, just within the harbor
entrance, and the combined force of
'sstttleships-. cruisers, torpedo boat de-
stroyers and auxiliary craft paraded
through the bay to the reviewing an
ehorage. The ships came to anchor in
ronr lono ool,,r,nc, /
Hours before the time set for the II
arrival of the fleet hundreds of peo-
ole had taken up positions along the
shore and securing points of vantage
from which to view the coming of the
When the Connecticut, a mere
speck on the horizon, Nas--sSfssnt t1,
with the other ships close behind, a
mighty cheer went UP from the wait
ing throngs. When the signal was
flashed into the city it seemed as if a
Dedlam had broken loose Bells were
rung, whistles blown and guns fired
from all the land batteries. Even the
thousands in the city who were not in
position to view the arrival of the
fleet participated in the demonstra-
ton.
The flagship Connecticut hardly had
come to anchor when a committee
headed by Mayor Taylor and other
prominent citizens of San Francisco
ON board a launch, steamed swiftly
out to the flagship to pay their re-
spect to Rear Admiral Evans. Mean
while scores of excursion craft, tug
boats, private yachts and little sail
boats, all loaded to the guards with
lowered around the fight :
ers. Ii
Beyond the necessary formalities of
welcome, little in the way of recep-
ton was possible this afternoon, ow-
ing to the lateness of the hour, and ,
the fact that both officers and men of
the fleet will be kept busy arranging
for the events scheduled for tomor-
row. Those few who came ashore
after the ships had dropped anchor
found the city mass of gorgeous
color in their honor. Almost every
private and public building in the city
is brilliantly dressed Streamers of
red and gold flags arch the principal
streets and at night the city will be
Illuminated by tens of thousands of
colored lights. Though the hotels and