Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-18
ENTERTAIN
"M|DDIES"
JUNIOR OFFICERS GUESTS AT
DANCE
FLEET READY TO SAIL FROM
SAN DIEGO
Anchors viii Be Weighed at s o'clock
This Morning and Ships VIII
Begin Journey to San
Pedro
BY Associated Press.

orders issued for o'clock tomorrow
morning the stay of the American bat
tleship fleet in San Diego practically
ended tonight. The visit of the sixteen
ships to this port always will be looked
upon as a memorable event In the citys
history, and plans are under way Tor
the erection of a commemorative monu-
ment in the city park where the Official
welcome to the state was extended on
Wednesday last.
A ball to the junior officers Of the
fleet tonight at the Hotel del Coronado
proved to be the most spectacular or
the social entertainments that have
marked the four days Vt the fleets
presence In local waters. The decora-
tions were elaborate to an extreme.
Flowers were banked about the al
coyes and balconies until the air was
heavy with their mingled perfume. the
yellow peoples of California had large
place in the floral decorations scheme
and there was also a wealth or the
Cherokee roses, wild violets, carnations
and the myriads of blossoms made per-
ennial under the warmth of the ever
lasting southern sun.
Sixteen electric stars represented the
sixteen ships of the fleet and beneath
each was suspended a life buoy fash
iond of white flowers anL bearing the
name of one of the vessels of war.
Canopy Of Flags
Flags and bunting formed a canopy
over the roses and red, white apd blue
effects in electric lights completed the
setting. The officers who attended the
hall were attired IN special full dress
uniforms, epauletteJ and all.
The columns of the grand march were
led by Miss Julia Grant, daughter of
u. s. Grant, jr., and Miss Jessie Bur-
beck, both of San Diego. The former
had as her partner Midshipman Alex
ander Sharp, jr., of the flagship Con-
necticut, and the latter Ensign Lew M.
Atkins. also attached to the Connecti-
cut. The floor scene during the march
and the long program of dancing which
followed had all the gay aspects that
usually accompany military and naval
functions.
Large liberty parties came ashore
from all of the ships today and the sail
ors found all sorts of amusement pro-
vided for them.
Free matinees at the theaters, at a
wild west, baseball games. and various
sports made the time in town pass all
too quickly for the bluejackets and
marines.
Thomas Visits Monument
Rear Admiral Charles M. Thomas,
commanding the fleet, visited today the
monument erected by the enlisted men
and officers OF the Paci~, squadron in
memory of the dead of the gunboat
Bennington at Point Iona and placed
an immense floral tribute at the foot
of the gray monolith.
It was Admiral Thomas own idea to
remember the sailors who lost their
lives In the explosion of three years ago
in this harbor, and his mission to Point
Iona was known to only few officers
of the fleet. The trip to the monument
was made in an automobile, Captain
Hugh Osterhaus of the flagship Connec-
ticut, and Lieutenant Kenneth CASTLE
man. flag lieutenant, accompanying Ad-
nliral Thomas. After the flowers were
placed on the shaft the naval OFFICERS
visited Fort Rosecrans to pay fare
we'll call. They were dressed in special
full dress uniform.
Earlier in the day Admiral Thomas
paid a farewell visit to Governor Gillett
of the Hotel del Coronado. He thanked
the governor again for the warmth of
the fleets first welcome t. California
received at this port, and In proposing
a toast to the state expressed the hope
that Mr.. Gillett would speedily be re-
stored to his usual good health. The
toast was drunk standing by the naval
officers and the governors staff.
Governor Gillett and his party left on
the 2:05 train for Los Angeles en- route
to Long Beach, where they will remain
until, Monday, returning thence to Los
Angeles.
Changes in Program
An official fleet circular was pub
lished on the flagship Connecticut to-
day. detailing the changes to be made
in the fleet at San Francisco and CIV
ing an itinerary of the trip to Puget
sound This trip is scheduled to begin
on May IS, ten da. after the review in
San Francisco hLrbor.
The main force of the ships will re-
turn to San Francisco by May 80, but
the vessels which are ordered to dock
at Bremerton will go down the coast
singly, under orders to assemble not
later than July 3. July is fixed as
the tentative date TO-, starting on the
world cruise, the destination mentioned
in the circular beilE modestly set down
as Honolulu.
The MAR and the Alabama are to
be replaced by the Nebraska and Wis
consin Immediately after the review
on May 8, and will not accompany the
fleet on it's northern journey. The new
fleet organization has been officially
fixed as follows:
First squadron, first division: Con-
necticut, Kansas, Vermont, Louisiana
Second division: Georgia. New Jer-
sey Rhode Island and Virginia.
Second squadron, third division:
!. (COntinued on Page Fiye)