The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-04-28
FLORAL SHOWER FOR THE AMER.
icAN SAILORS in BEAuT,-
Full SANTA BARBARA.
is GRAND EVENT
Flower Carnival Held in Honor Of Wis
ting Sailors e the Atlantic Squad
ron Brilliant and Beautiful Affair
Admiral Thomas Preparing to Re-
turn Command to Admiral Evans.

1
rays Of an undimmed sun, day redo;
lent Of the prefumery Of spring Dlos-
SOFAS and of petal strewn pathways,
a Gay of gaily attired holiday throngs
a cay Of foWer-decked coaches aud
soldiers passing in review before thou
ants of cheering people, day Of
white uniformed marching sail ors,
with gun barrels hidden in roses
day of flying bouquets hurled in floral
| warfare at the passing pageant, a day
Of soft southern breezes, OF blue skies
and deeper hued waters Of palm-lined
ocean boulevards, and flowers, flowers,
flowers everywhere the eye could
reachsuch are the features OF
Santa Barbara's floral festival today
in honor Of the Atlantic battleship
fleet.
Nor did the festivities end with the
setting Of the sun, for tonight the
ocean front is gay with lights, with
dancing sailors gathered in an out
door ballroom, with the radiance Of
the Illuminated fotilla and with lively
music. A brilliant indoor ball for the
officers is also gala event.
The floral parade In the afternoon,
with its wonderful setting Of crowds
ashore and blue water and white ships
beyond the turfbeaten beach formed
q picture Of rainbow beauty unrivaled.
The officers Of the feet, in whose hon
or the pageant was planned, sat In a,
great tribunal. amphitheater at the
head Of the Plaza Del Mar facing the
ocean, and we're unstinteds in their
applause. II
.ss Hard Work on 8attleships.
The afternoon and evening OF gaiety
ashore were preceded by a morning
Of hard work on most Of the 16 battle
ships at anchor In the ocean road
stead. There are endless details Of
the celebrations still to come that
must be settled. Preparations are be-
ing made for Admiral Thomas, who is
soon to transfer his nag from the
Connecticut back to the Minnesota, In
anticipation Of the return Of Rear Ad-
miral Evans to command the feet for
its entry through the Golden Gate
Of San Francisco. There is stout wo.k
to be done on the broken engine in
the Missouri, and above all there IL
the attempt to maintain discipline>a >ar,l
efficiency which much shore leave to
meet the wishes Of the coast cities Of
California has materially interfered
with. 4
Evans to Command.
It was ofacially announced during
the day that Admiral Evans has de-
cided to adhere to his original inten.
tion. and that instead Of rejoining the
fleet at Monterey on May !, as seceat-
~ announced, he will wait until the
afternoon Of May 5, when. just before
the ships leave Santa Cruz, he will
board his sld flagship, the Connecti-
cut, and his ensign will be broken
from the main truck. Rear Admiral
Thomas, who has been senior oficsr
present ever since the feet entered
American waters, will transfer h!s
nag to the Minnesota on the morning
Of May to make way for the return
Of the commander-in-chief during the
afternoon. AS Admiral Evans has
never been detached from command
Of the fleet. but has retained control
during all. the time he has been at
Paso Robes undergoing treatment.
there will he no formal or official
ceremony to mark his return to com
mand.
The fleet enters the Golden Gate at
noon on May s, the review occurs in
San Francisco harbor on May 8, and
on May 10 Admiral Evans is expected
to haul down his nag permanently.
The feet viii then pass under actual
command Of Admiral Thomas for five
days. On May Is he will be relieved
at his own request to make way for
Admiral Charles 8. sperry. who is to
take the ships on their world-cruise
back to New York.
Missourl's Engine Damaged.
It was said today that the damage
to the port engine on the Missouri is
80 serious that there Is q strong pos
sibility Of the ship not being able to
accompany the heet to the far east in
July. A new cylinder head must be
planned and cast, fitted and installed.
Continued on Fourth sPase.)