, 1908-07-07

bourne, Japan, China, Philippines
and Thence to Hampton Roads.
San Francisco, Cal, July with
the turn of the tide today, after the
hour of noon, the Atlantic feet of six.
teen ~battleships will hoist anchors,
and, led by Rear Admiral Sperry's
flagship, the Connecticut, will turn
their prows towards the Golden Gate
on the long voyage to the home port
in the Atlantic. The last calls were
made this morning and all is now In
readiness for the signal TO get under
way.
Presented Splendid Picture.
A splendid picture of Americas
fighting strength on the sea was pre-
sented today when the sixteen battle
shifs Of the Atlantic fleet, led by the
magnificent Connections, with Rear
Admiral Charles 8. Perry on the
bridge, headed out of the Golden Gate
and bathed their bows in the blue Pa
cifc. In imposing array they will pass
beyond the h~eadlands, out of the view
of the thousands of cheering watchers
on short, and start fairly on the long
voyage through Ave seas from San
Francisco to Hampton Roads strik.
ing demonstration Of the power and ef
ficiency of the United States navy.
The First Division.
Sixteen b~attleships were in the line
divided into four divisions, n two
sqlradrons. In the first division OF the
first squadron were the flagship OF
Rear Admiral Sperry, the Connect.
cut. n her sister ships, the Kansas
Minnesota and Vermont. This divi
sion, as we'll al the entire feet, IL
under the immediate command Of Reai
Admiral Sperry. The second division
of the first squadron is commanded
by Acting Rear Admiral Richard Vain
wright, and consists Of the flagship
Georgia and her sister ships, the Ne
braska, New Jersey and Rhode Island
Some Mighty Fighters.
Rear Admiral William H. Emory
commands the second squadron AMI
third division, and is aboard OF the
flagship Louisiana. The Virginia, Ohio
and Missouri also are in this division
The fourth division, under the com
mand of Acting Rear Admiral SeatoI
Schroeder, is made up of the flagship
Wisconsin and the Illinois, Kearsagt
and Kentucky. The Nebraska an
Uyfc,opcin forp1arIv, of tho Do1fAo daat
which are en- route to Hampton Roads
as a special service squadron.
Auxiliaries Gone Ahead.
The fleet auxiliaries preceded the
battleships by q week, and are now
nearing Honolulu, where they will un
Zealand before the arrival Of the
feet at Honolulu. These auxiliaries
are the Panther, repair ship; Glacier
refrigerator supply ship; Culgoa, sup
ply ship; Ajax, collier; Relief, hospital
ship, and Yankton, tender and re
spatch boat.
Going to Manila.
The battleships which sailed today
on the longest voyage ever undertak
en- by such a powerful feet, during
which they will completely encircle the
world, from Hampton Roads to Hamp
ton Roads, have a total tonnage o.
196,100 tons. The fleet is capable Of
steaming oil an average of ten knott
an hour under any sea conditions. ant
is following an itinerary which viii
hrtn- tlo -Hin, 4 NTa-;v - O1toLa,
l, 1908.
Home in February.
The complete route from Manila t
Hampton Roads has not yet been def
nitely announced, but it is expectet
that the fleet will arrive at its ulti
mate destination during the latter
lart of February, 1909, when it will BIZ
joined at Hampton Roads by most o.
the other ships of the American nav
then on the Atlantic coast, and thi!
great feet of wal vessels, greater ev
en- that that which gathered in Sar
Francisco bay on the morning of May
9Th, and greater than the one that as
sembled at Hampton Roads December
1G, when the present record-breaking
voyage began, and where 1t will agar
be reviewed by President Roosevelt
just prior to his going out of office.
Reception at Honolulu.
The fleet is scheduled to arrive a.
Honolulu July 16. Residents of that
remote possession of the United States
have prepared a magnificent and fit
ting reception to the officers and mer
which will be Of the nature of a re
ception and a belated Fourth of July
celebration combined. 1t will be thu
first special entertainment of the fight
ing men since Puget sound cities de
lighted to do them honor, and prepare
tons have been making for months a
Honolulu that no pleasing feature
shall be lacking.
Will Visit New Zealand.