Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-04-12
BIG FLEET
IS ON WAY
THOMAS LEADING ARMADA TO
SAN DIEGO
LAST LEG OF FIRST HALF OF
CRUISE IS BEGUN
Vessels Weigh Anchor, Bid Farewell
to Mexican Port and Are of
for the Golden
Gate
By Associated Press.

By Associated Press.
SAN DIEGO, April 1.-THE Atlantic
fleet Of sixteen first class battleships
began today the last leg of its origin
ally planned cruise from Hampton
Roads to the Golden Gate.
The four divisions Of the feet
weighed anchor at p. M, and three
quarters of an hour later were thread
ing their way out of Magdalena bay
in the wake Of the flagship Connecti-
cut.
The commanding figure on the after
bridge of the flagship was that of Rear
Admiral Charles M Thomas, who be-
gan the journey to the Pacific as head
of the second squadron, but who was
| promoted to command during the en-
| forced absence of Rear Admiral Rob-
| ley d. Evans, the commander in chief
who still is seriously suffering from an
attack of rheumatism and is taking the
baths at Paso Robles.
Sailing in single column formation.
| according to a dispatch received here
the ships passed Sail rock, and round.
Ing Entrada point, one of the head
harbor, turned in a long circle to the
north. The six black hulled destroyers
of the torpedo f1otilla gave a parting
salute to the big white vessels, and the
historic stay of the American battle
ships in the Mexican bay was at
an end.
Due at San Diego Tuesday
AT easy journey of 620 miles lies be-
fore the fleet, which is scheduled to
arrive here and anchor off Coronado
beach at / p. m. Tuesday Admiral
Thomas has allowed sixty-nine hours
for the run up the coast, requiring an
average of only nine knots an hour.
| The ships started away at the usual
cruising speed of ten knots, however
and will slow down during the latter
part of the Journey.
! The early hour of departure was
| fixed to guard against the possibility
of delay in a fog.
When the ships reach San Diego they
will have logged 13, $50 knots since their
departure from Hampton Roads on
December IS last. The Connecticut has
l240 knots additional on her credit, on
account of the trip to this port last
week to bring Admiral Evans ashore
and her subsequent return to Magda-
| lena bay. Every coast city from San
! Diego to San Francisco Is to see the
| fleet during the next four weeks, 1t
having been arranged that at all points
where no stop Is scheduled the ships
will pass as close to shore as possible.
always being we'll within the range Of
vision of persons gathered along the
bluffs and beaches.
Preparations for the four days stay
of the rhips at San Diego are practical
ly complete and the city is gaily dressed
in flags and patriotic bunting.
Fund for ntertalnment
In this community of 10000 inhabi-
tants a fund of nearly $4,000 has been
raised for the entertainment of the Of
ficers and men Of the navy. Interest
in the coming Of the ships Is intense,
the strong personal sentiment being re-
flected in the banners which everywhere
wave welcome to our fleet"
San Diego has set an example which
undoubtedly will be followed at all OF
the other California cities, II Admiral
Evans is unable to participate in the
ceremony, by arranging to pay a dis
tinctly personal tribute to Rear Ad-
miral Thomas, who will be the senior
officer in command here.
| A handsome silver mounted cut glass
buffet service has been subscribed for
and suitably engraved and will be pre-
sented to Admiral Thomas next
Wednesday afternoon, when he will also
accept on behalf of Admiral Evans
golden key to the city, mounted with
native San Diego county gems.