Omaha daily bee., 1908-01-08
SHAFT TO BENNINGTON DEAD
Tribute Of Navy to Men Who Lost
Their Lives on That Ship.
THOUSANDS VIEW CEREMONIES
Civilians Vie with sailors in Paying
Their Respects-Shaft an ImPos-
ing One, Bearing ApprOprf-
ate fnscriptiOn.

SAN DIEGO, Cal. Jan I'm the pres
ence of thousands, including the officers
and sailors Of the Pacific squadron and citi-
zens Of san Diego and Of other southern
California cities who had gathered here
to witness the ceremony. the memorial
monument to the Bennington dead was un-
veied this afternoon at the National Gem
ttery on top Of Point Iona The plain
shaft stands within the plot where are
buried the most Of those who lost their
lives IN the disaster OF July q, 1905, and
is com posed Of seventy-four slabs Of San
Diego county granite roughly dressed and
rising sixty feet above the concrete base.
capped 10y a pyramid Of polished granite
The National cemetery is almost at the
top Of the promontory, so that the monu-
ment looks in one direction out over the
Pacific and in the other over the waters
Of the bay
Early this morning the launches com
menoed running from this SIDE Of the bay,
landing passengers from here at the quar-
antine station and at Roseville from which
the ascent to the cemetery is possible.
Army Joins with Navy.
At noon the navy launches towing strings
Of row boats came from the battleship Ne
braska and the arrnored cruiser. California,
anchored off Coronado. and other similar
string Of boats made the same trip from
the flagship Charleston and the cruiser
Chicago anchored OFF the fort, while the
torpedo boat destruyers, Preble and Perry,
also furnished their quota. The battaions
Of sailors and one Of marines had been
assigned to join the local militia, the naval
reserve and the two companies OF soldiers
al Fort Rosecrans, TO form a military es-
cort from the fort TO the cemetery. Be
sides these there were hundreds Of sailors
from the ships who attended the ceremon-
les without being assigned to the escort.
After the procession had wound its way
UP the side of Point Iona and had filed
through the cemetery enclosure, the public
was admitted, filling every foot Of space
within and much outside.
Right Rev. Joseph H Johnson bishop
of the southern diocese Of the Episcopal
church in California invoked the Divine
blessing and music was supplied by the
choir of St PauIs Episcopal church. The
principal speech was made by Admiral
Goodrich, commandant at the navy yard
who was the commander of the Pacific
! squadron at the time of the accident on
the Bennington.
When Admiral Goodrich finished the un-
yelling took place, consisting of the drop
/ ping OF the national ensign. which had been
draped over the two tablets on the face
of the monuments. On one Of these was
/ inscribed:
ITO the Bennington dead, and other
! side, Erected by the officers and men
OF the Pacific squadron 10 the mernsry
Of those who lost their lives in the per
/ formRnoe of duty"
As the flags dropped the soldiers pre-
/ sented arms and three ruffles and flour
I ishes on the drums started the minute guns
on board the Charleston and Chicago
which were fired regularly through the
I remainder OF the services.
! A second address was by Colonel r. V
| Dodge, president Of the Bennington Mem
| orial association, and a closing address
| and benediction by Bishop Johnson.
The graves were decorated with wreaths
presented by the captain Of Point Iona
Homestead, the wreaths intended for those
who were buried elsewhere being laid al
the base OF the monument
Three volleys fired over the decorated
graves, one by the representatives OF the
I army, one by the navy and one by tht
marine corps. closed the ceremony.