The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-03-13
Great Battle Fleet at Magda-
Ieaa Will Indulge in Target
Practice Before Leaving for
Frisco.
WELCOME TO BE ACCORD
ED SAILORS EVERYWHERE
Entire Coast Will Accord Wei
come to Jackies Seldom
Given to Anyone - Naval
Men Marvel at Long Trip.

San Diego, Cal, March 13 When
command of Rear Admiral Robley D.
Evans, steamed yesterday into Magda-
lena Bay, passing through the rocky
gateway marked by Sail Rock on the
north and Redondo on the south, and
dropped anchor behind the high Pc
ninsula's promontory, which stretched
a protecting arm down from the main
land and makes Man-o'-War Cove, the
sheltered harbor of the lower Pacific
coast, the history making naval cruise
of more than 1900 miles, begun at
Hampton Rhoads less than three
months ago, practically came to an
end.
Magdalena is the present naval base
of the Pacific for American target
work and battle practice drills, and
by right Of temporary ownership
through government lease the vessels,
if not the men of the fleet, may feel
that they are again in home waters.
There remains to be made the trip
from Magdalena Bay to San Francisco.
the destination originally announced,
and a matter of some 1.1OO miles, but
it will not be begun until after target
practice is concluded and fleet drills
are done.
The sailors will find themselves he
roes, every one in the eyes of the
Western admirers and are promised a
series of fetes which include features
ranging from gala balls under the pat
ronage of exclusive social sets. to prize
fights refereed by Champion Jim jeff
ries.
Welcome Everywhere.
The California committee announces
that the uniforms of the enlisted men.
far from being bar to any place of
amusement, as has sometimes been
known to be the case in other places,
will be mark of hospitality and well
come all along the Pacific coast
There is serious work-to be done at
Magdalena, however, before the sail
ors' thoughts can turn to the happy
days of the Homecoming.
Magdalena Bay now holds the great
est number of warships it has ever
hills will soon be awak ened with a
roar of guns far beyond anything ev-
er heard on the Pacific coast.
Astounds Naval Men.
I'd "a
Tennessee, Washington and Albany,
marvel at the speed with which the
fleet had been brought from Callao to
Magdalena. Even the latest calcula-
tions made after the increased speed
of the ships were announced by wire
less, did not put the fleet into Magda-
lena Bay before late yesterday after
noon and some time last night.
The run was made through the tor
rid zone. after a cruise which had al
ready covered more than 10000 miles,
and it is taken as a remarkable dem
onstration of the fitness of the ma
chinery. hulls and screws under the
most trying test to which battle ships
of any nation were ever put.
The stay of the fleet at Magdalena
is problematical. Target practice will
require some time. which will be fol-
lowed by fleet drills in battle tactics.
There seems to be no doubt. however.
judging from the Unexpectedly early
arrival of the fleet at Magdalena, that
the program of hard work laid down
for the southern drill ground will be
carried out with all possible expedi-
ton. and that the fleet will sail
the Golden Gate of San Fran
cisco. May =.