Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1908-05-15
EVANS LEAVES WEST
GIVES Up COMMAND OF FLEET
AND GOES EAST.
On Board Each of the 1e e.+t,.
and Auxiliary Ships an Address "a,
Read From Retiring AdnlraI-r.
presses Regret at Leavlno
Thanks Men and Officers.

Rear Admiral Robley D. Evan.
flag Saturday was hauled down frou,
the main truck Of the Connectio,,.
San Francisco harbor amid sa,na
of Is guns, and the first commars.
in chief of Americas first batt,o.A,,
fleet left for his home in Washington
d. c., to remain on waiting md.
until the date of his retireme,,t 3
age on his CID birthday. the 1ot,,
August next. He was accompanied Nv
members OF his family and his stow
AS the blue ensign of the retirnn
commander fiuttered down to the aftas
bridge of the Connecticut a nav eaa
of similar design was broken ort -
token of the presence of a new chic
Read Admiral Charles M. Thomas
who brought the ships from Magda
lena bay to Santa Cruz, and who acted
for Rear Admiral Evans at all the
South American and southern Califor.
MIA social functions of the cruise tal
ing over the control of the big faot
in his own right. The bunting of tbo
new commander was saluted bv 70
guns, fired from every ship in the feet
the waters of the bay and the green
surrounding hills echoing the shots
On board of each of the 16 battle.
ships, the six torpedo boat destrovers
and the auxiliaries of the Atlantic
fleet an address from the departing
commander was read. Admiral Evans
was not permitted by his physicians
to go aboard the Connecticut during
the ceremonies attending his relin.
.quishment of active naval service
The address expressed the great re-
great the admiral felt in leaving the
ships and his thanks for the loyal sun
port of the men and officers during his
long tour of command The address
in full was as follows:
Read Evans Address.
United States Atlantic Flee. u s.
s. Connecticut, Flagship, San Francis
CO., Cal, May 8, 1908:
Fleet General Order No. 9-Upon
relinquishing command of the United
States Atlantic fleet and hauling down
my flag this day aboard the U. S. S.
Connecticut, flagship, l desire to ex
press to the officers and men of the
fleet my appreciation and hearty
thanks for their continuous and loyal
support. 1t has been a source Of
much qualification and pride to me
throughout my period of command not
only to see the number of vessels in
the heet steadily increase and the
units become more and more formid
able but to see the steady improve
ment in drill, shooting and in every
thing that tends to efficiency, and es-
pecially to witness the growth of that
Keeling of comrddes-ip and esprit
which transforms a group of vessels
into an efficient war fleet. l am sure
That both officers and men feel this
same pride in the great increase in
efficiency in these matters, and, as it
has been accomplished through their
loyalty and zeal, to them l extend my
thanks for all that they have done.
In taking leave of them 1 wash to
say to each and every one that they
nave my warmest sympathy and best
wishes for continued prosperity and
good fortune in the future. I shall
always watch their movements with
pride and interest, and 1 trust they
Will extend to my successors the same
loyalty and hearty support that they
have always given to me, in order that
L may be able to see from my home
the fleet which l am now leaving
progress steadily in efficiency, so tnal
it may justify the faith of our people
that our war fleet is and always VIII
be perfect source of strength lol
upbuilding the safety and honor Oh
our flag and "a security for such al
pass upon the seas upon their lawi~
vocations.
Il desire that this order my pe
read as soon as possible at speclai
muster aboard every ship in the nee'
as farewell greeting from depart
ing commander in chief in whose near
the officers and men will ever ina 'n0
warmest sympathy.
"ROBLEY d. EVANS
Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy, Conlinan
der in Chief United States Atlanu'
Fleet"