Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-04-10
LEAVE BAY
TOMORROW
ATLANTIC FLEET SHIPS ARE IN
TRIM FOR TRIP
GREAT ARMADA NOW TOGETHER
FOR FIRST TIME
Four of the Divisions viii Change
Places in ormation-Coallng
Work Being Pushed for
Voyage North
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
MAGDALENA BAY, April 5, Via San
Diego, April 9.-The Atlantic fleet today
entered upon the last week of its stay
at Magdalena bay. The ships will
weigh anchor next Saturday at an hour
not yet set and steam for San Diego,
where they are due TO arrive at p. m.
Tuesday, April IA.
No maneuvers or speed trials are
scheduled for the trip up the coast,
which, it is said, will be made without
any special incident.
The fleet formation will be slightly
| changed for the last leg of the journey,
when Admiral Thomas transfers his
flag from the Minnesota to the Con-
necticut. The third and fourth divis-
ions will change places, Rear Admiral
Sperry, on the Alabama, commanding
the eight ships of the second squad
ron.
The Maine and Minnesota Of the
third division will also change, the
Minnesota taking last place in line, and
Capt Harber of the Maine assuming
temporary command of the fourth di-
vision
Today (Sunday), one of the most per-
Magdalena, sees all of the sixteen bat
tleships, with the exception of the Vir-
ginia, riding again at anchor in Man of
War cove. This Is the greatest number
that has assembled in the original an
chorage since the arrival from Callao,
March 13.
Torpedo Drill Over
The Virginia is still out on the tor
pedo range, at the south end of the
hau oh no StaaminV
over the course performing her torpedo
drill This work practically has been
completed, and for the remainder of the
week there will be little to do but get
In shape for the cruise to California.
For several days, however, the ships
of the fleet have been busv with the
torpedoes. This practice has been one
of large interest and of much inpor
tance. The regulations strictly forbid
publication of any Of the details OF the
work.
The chief value of the practice att
taches to the trial of the new Bliss
Leavitt torpedoes, which are supposed
to possess greater firing range than
those previously used.
The ships are not anchored in their
original regular divisional formation,
but are swinging at their chains in
seeming confusion in the corner Of the
bay.
The big supply ships Culgoa and Gla-
cier, the repair ship Panther, the tug
Fortune and two or three black Golfers
are scattered among the battiesnlps'
The work of coaling the ships is being
rushed forward with all speed day and
night to escape demurrage charges on
one or two of the golfers, which amount
to about $3.50 a day for each day the
cargo remains on board.
Vessels Cleaned
The Illinois finished coaling today, the
Vermont commenced, and all OF the
ships will have been finished by tomor-
row. Cleaning and painting is going on
upon all ships. Every bit of metal ana
wood work is being gone over with the
most serupulous care. The ships VIII
be models Of order and cleanliness when
they reach the California coast.
One more death has occurred, that OF
Lewis Robinson, a colored cabin stew
ard on the Rhode Island. He died FRI
day night of BrIghts disease and was
buried Saturday in the little cemetery
at Magdalena.
This is the second death since the
fleets arrival here, the first being an
ordinary seaman on the Missouri, who
died and was buried at Magdalena a
week ago. His death was previously
reported in these dispatches.
Captain Murdock of the Rhode Island
accompanied Robinson's body to the
burial ground. Eight colored members
of the crew acted as pail bearers. A
sergeant's guard and escort of officers
accompanied. Funeral services We're
held on board the Rhode Island by
Chaplain Fleming, and he also con-
Quoted the ceremonies at the grave.
The body was brought ashore In a
cutter. the escort accompanying IL IN
launches. All were dressed In deep
mourning. The Rhode Island band
ID. nd fhn
fired salute over the grave.
Death Was Typical
Robinson was married and lived in
Brooklyn, N. Y. His death was typi-
CAL He had been i'll for several weeks
but kept at this duties and refused to
report his condition to the surgeon,
fearing that he would be transferred
from his ship. When he finally became
so ill that he could no longer conceal
il. his fellow mess attendants reported
the case to Chief Surgeon Stone OF the
Rhode Island. 1t was then too late
and the physicians could do nothing
for him. Robinson died within ~ hours
after his case was reported.
Commander Albert w. Grant of the
Arethusa will become chief OF staff by
order of Admiral Evans, as soon as his
ship reaches this port. Captain Grant
succeeds Captain r. r. Ingersoll, VINO
was detached while the Connecticut
was at San Diego. 1t is expected that
Admiral Thomas will remove to the
about Wednesday, when
the flagship will have returned from
the torpedo range Lieutenant K. G.
his aide and flag lieuten-
ant. and Lieutenant r. d. Berrien, aide.
will go with Admiral Thomas to the
Lieutenant Commander
3. H. Chandler aide to Admiral Evans.
win remain on the flagship until the
retirement of Admiral Evans at San
Francisco. 1t is understood Commander
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