The San Francisco call., 1908-07-08

Continued from Page L. Column
time the Connecticut signaIed to weigh
anchor dozens Of craft shot out from
the shores and sped up the channel The
Cnsdilla bright with gay dresses
headed across the bay, and as the Con-
necticUt passed by swung alongside and
aided in escorting the feet out of the
harbor. on the starbOard was the Pa
cific Mail boat Arabs. and steaming
close behind was the transport tug
Slocum containing the officers Of the
department headquarters and their
friends. In and out among these moved
press launches, private boats and
yachts.
The fleet began its cruise in a broad
patch Of sunlight, but off Lime Point
IL entered a dense bank of fog.
Thence until the ships rounded Point
Bonita little could be seen of them ex-
cept dark blotches OF smoke and seeth-
ing white wakes.
was much battered and un-
painted. bark. It was directly in the
course of the feet, and around il the
Connecticut swung, the others following
the leader. AS the Connecticut passed
the vessels at anchorage their flags
dipped and the flagship responded.
It mattered not whether the vessel
The sign OF the nation was lifted high
and the salute was returned. Even the
battered old bark dipped a weather
stained American flag, dipped IL re-
peatediy in a frantic endeavor TO gain
recognition, and received from the Con-
necticut a formal salute. Whereat the
roughly clad men on the bark danced
hilarously on their decks.
The vessels passed through the Gold
Rn gate at $3.50 p. m. Half an hour be-
fore that time the escorting vessels
turned back and sped for home.
Admiral Sperry's statement prior to
the departure was one of thanks and
appreciation 70 the people Of San Fran
cisco.
II cannot thank the people of San
Francisco too much for their kind treat
ment 10 both the officers and enlisted
mon" said he. we have been ac-
cOrded a royal time and it is with the
deepest regret that we leave this hos
pitable city"
On the transport tug Slocum, one of
the escorting vessels, were Mrs. Eleanor
Martin and a party of young women,
Colonel W. A Simpson, adjutant gen
eral; Lieutenant Colonel G. L. Ander-
son. inspector general; Major W. A
Bethel, judge advocate; Colonel John L.
Glen. chief quartermaster; Lieutenant
Colonel d. J. Brainerd, chief commits
sary. and Colonel G. H. Tomel, chief sur
geon. General Funston was unable to
make the trip.
The feet was in the care of Pilots
Castle, Anderson, Christensen and
johnson. Only once in leaving the
harbor was the line of formation brok-
en-. This was caused by the gasoline
launch Glencoe. towing three masted
schooner crossing the bows of the
Louisiana.
The feet will touch at Honolulu.
Auckland. Sydney. Melbourne Ma
Mia and thence to Alden From
Alden IL viii head for the Mediterranean.
where il viii be divided and where it
viii connect with the vessels now on
the Atlantic seaboard.
The fleet is divided into two SQUAD
rons. The first division Of the first
squadron IS composed Of the Connecti-
cut Cthe flagship the Kansas. Mime
sofa and Vermont The second division
OF the first squadron, under the com
mand Of Acting Rear Admiral VAIN
wright, consists OF the flagship Georgia.
New Jersey and Rhode Island The
second squadron. under the command
OF Rear Admiral Emory, consists of the
flagship Louisiana, the Virginia. Ohio
and Missouri Of the third division; Wis
consin, Kearsarge. Illinois and Ken
tuclIy Of the fourth division, under the
command OF Rear Admiral Seaton
Schroeder.