Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-26
OFF SANTA BARBARA
Fleet Reaches Port Only Half
an Hour Late.
FOG DELAYS THE VOYAGE
Festival Of Flowers Arranged in
Visitors' Honor.
CROWDS BANKED UPON BEACH
Correspondent Reused to Ecstasy by
"Sea Of Sapphire" and "Wave-
Washed Shores"
FOG DELAYS THE VOYAGE
CROWDS BANKED UPON BEACH

SANTA BARBARA, Cal, April 25.-Into
another picturesque port Of California, on
glass-calm sea Of sapphire and with
never q cloud In the sky. the Atlantic
fleet of battleships sailed today in stately
buff and white procession, admired by
multitude gathered from along the wave
washed shores. from the towering heights
Of the Santa Ynez mountains in the back
ground Of the city having fertile valleys
beyond.
The coming Of the fleet was made holi-
day and every shop In the thriving little
city Of Santa Barabra was closed through
out the afternoon.
In one store an explanatory sign read:
Come to the beach, boys" and in another
CLOSED to see the battleships."
Crowds Throng Shore.
All Of the 1900 residents Of the place.
more thousands from the surrounding
towns and host Of winter visitors went
to the shore to view the long-heralded
spectacle.
Theywere banked along the curving white
beach. on the palm-fr1negd ocean boule-
ward. on the hills and mountains to the
south and wherever an uninterrupted
vision Of the distant horizon could be had
After steaming in single column all
the way from the port Of Los Angeles the
sixteen ships Of the feet changed into a
column of squadrons after entering the
the shore dropped anchor not more than
1900 yards from the beach line.
Rear Admiral Thomas. commanding.
on the bridge Of the Connecticut, imme-
knots and towing spars outstretched in
protection. The fog lasted for four
hours. finally lifting at noon. when full
speed was resumed.
Only Half Hour Late.
In spite Of this delay and the wait in
cident to bringing the ships into their
proper places in the dificult anchorage
formation, the fleet anchored at 1928
bells Of the dog watch came echoing
to the shore, and less than half an hour
behind schedule time.
A formal welcome to the city was ex-
tended to Admiral Thomas on the Con-
necticut soon after the flagship came to
anchor by Mayor Boezke Of Santa Bar
bara and Rear Admiral Bowman H. Nc
Gala. U. 8. NJ, retired. chairman Of the
festival committee.
The fleet is to remain here five days.
festival Of flowers having been arranged
In its honor.
Evans Can Walk With Cane.
PAsO ROBLEs. Cal, April 25.-Yester-
day for the first time in many days Rear
Admiral Robley D. Evans was allowed
to stand. He walked we'll with the as
sistance Of a cane. and from now on he
will be permitted to walk q little each
day 20 far as his returning strength will
allow! DR.. p. q. Mcdonald naturally
continues to be much elated by the won
derful progress OF the patient.
Evans in Command Thursday.
SANTA BARBARA, CAL, April o.
Rear Admiral Thomas. at present COM
manding the Atlantic battleship fleet, re-
ceived a telegram tonight from Rear Ad-
miral Robley D. Evans. at Paso Robes
Hot Springs, saying that the latter would
return to the fleet and again hoist his flag
on tho Connecticut as commander-in-
chief when the ships reach Monterey
Thursday evening. April 30.