The San Francisco call., 1908-04-15

planned in their honor all the way TO
San Francisco and beyond. Coming
after the decidedly limited fare offered
by the cesolate country surrounding
Magdalena bay. the dainties set before
the officers tonight were relished.
SPLENDID NIGHT SCENE
The beauty Of the day spectacle.
when with flashing signals and won
derfully executed maneuvers the ships
were brought TO anchor in the lazy
rolling Pacific waters, was rivaled to-
night when for three hours every YES
sci was outlined in fire. Thousands OF
incandescent bulbs were strung along
deck lines, up military masts, far out
on the signal yard arms, up and down
the huge tunnels and down TO the
waters edge at stem and stern. In
fairy-like form the ships stood out
against the night, and In letters SIX
feet high the name OF every vessel was
spelled across its forward bridge The
glow OF the lights flooded the sea
thousands of yards away. the cleaning
outlines shimmering in phantom-like
reflections.
During a half hour OF the period OF
illumination. a searchlight display was
made, adding infinitely to the wonder
full effect. The flashing shafts OF pow
erful white light were sent dancing
over the waves, playing now and then
on the crowded beach of the brilliantly
illuminated hotel. then reaching far
away to the south to conjure from the
night the peaks of the coastal range OF
mountains which mark the boundary
line between Mexico and the United
States.
During all this radiant display the
old lighthouse marking the rounding
point TO the north-roint Loma's lone
" beacon-fiashed it's alternating red
and white signals in domestic sim
plicity and wholly unmindful of the
spectacle the coming of the ships and
their illumination afforded. On shore
scores OF red signal fires were main
tained throughout the evening as
welcome sign and above all. high in
the reaches OF the sky, shone bril-
liant southern moon, hurrying it's way
TO romantic fullness. The thousands
who journeyed from San Diego to the
beaches Of Coronado TO witness the
arrival Of the fleet remained to view
the beauties offered by the night.
CASTS ANCHORS ON TIME
The feet let go its anchors-aIl
splashing into the waters with a SIM
ultaneous precision-at 12:47 p. m
Just thirteen minutes before the an
nounced hour of arrival. For two
their coming had been watched with
wonder by the awaiting throngs. So
engrossed were the people in the
beauty Of the scene that they forgot to
cheer
The splendid condition of the ships
was manifest in every way. Outwardly
they were the same sparkling, I'M
pressive, white and buff units of
powerful aggregation Of fighting force
- h-1s- orrf Of a
ton roads, on a home coast 5000 miles
away, with the president showing the
way on his cruiser yacht the May
flower Internally the ships were in
better condition than when they start
ed, engines working with the smooth
thrust and throw of perfect bearings
and careful handling, and boilers max
ing steam with less consumption OF
coal because Of the increased eff1ci-
ency in the firing rooms. The wash
Of the waves along the water line
displayed from two to three feet o.
red armor belts and showed but COM
paratively little sea growth despite
the long stay in temperate and tropical
waters.
Rear Admiral Charles NJ Thomas.
commanding, was on the bridge of the
Connecticut as the fleet steamed to
its anchorage. The absence of Rear
Admiral Evans, who is i'll at Paso
Robles, is deeply regretted on all
sides. Admiral Thomas at the dinner
tonight referred TO this with much
feeling
MARINE GLASSES IN DEMAND
Filmy ribbons of smoke on the hori-
zon gave the first hint of the ap-
preaching vessels this morning, al
though wireless messages had already
told OF their near presence. Eyes were
strained TO catch the first glimpse Of
the ships, and telescopes and marine
glasses were at premium. The day
had opened black and threatening, and
It was not until after 10 o'clock that
the sun burned it's way through the
bank Of lowering clouds. Once its
rays had penetrated the mist how
ever. the sky cleared quickly. and by
the time the feet came into view
there was not a heck TO be seen
As soon as the Connecticut let go
her anchor Colonel Thomas Wilhelm,
United States army, retired, on the
staff Of Governor Gillett, as assistant
inspector general, put out from the
shore and was received on board the
flagship. He presented the compli-
ments OF the governor TO Admiral
Thomas and said the chief executive
of California wished to call and pay
his respects and formally extend a
welcome to California waters Ad-
miral Thomas graciously replied that
he would be glad TO receive Governor
Giiett and his STAFF at 2:30 D. m At
that hour the governor, accompanied
by the uniformed members Of his staff,
repaired aboard the flagship, taking q
government launch from the Coronado
pier. Lieutenant Governor Warren r.
Porter also was a member of the party.
GOVERNOR VOICES WELCOME
AS the party went on board from
the starboard gangway the sides were
manned and all the officers Of the shin
were drawn up at attention on the
quarter deck. Governor Gillett was
shown TO the cabin, where Admiral
Thomas received him. They returned
Immediately 10 the deck and there
standing under the muzzies OF the
after lS inch guns Of the battleship
Governor Gillett made a brief address
in which he said:
We have watched the cruise Of the eeet from
Hampton roads around the South American
coast We have watched with the greatest in
terest your advent at the ports OF the various
countries you have visited and have shared win
the people OF the whole country the honor and
credit which you reflected there upon the ma
tion.
We have watched you with absorbing interest
all - mar md 81 -