The San Francisco call., 1908-05-09
Magnificent Silver Service Is Presented
by The State TO Cruiser California
Governor GiIlet and Brilliant Assebage Participate
in Ceremony and Admiral Sebree Says Bully"

Now the cruiser California is in
every sense a man-of-war. While here
tofore II had its armor belt and its
eight inch guns. its officers and its
men, its flghting tops and its turrets
and its starry flag at the stern, not
until yesterday was It graced with the
states magnificent gift TO it-a silver
service Of 80 pieces. each mounted with
a golden bear Governor James n.
Gillett presented the service TO Captain
Nincendon L. Cottman and the ships
company yesterday afternoon, and blum
Rear Admiral Uriel Sebree. mounted on
a BIT OF superstructure overlooking the
deck party. cried, Bully, bully. just
exactly right
Then the governor his STAFF and the
ladies' OF the party. with the presenta-
tion committee. were invited into the
captains quarters 10 christen the punch
bowls OF the set; the younger. women
danced with the younger officers, and
Governor Gillett left the graceful white
cruiser to the reverberating honor Of
a salute OF II guns, while the marine
guard presented arms and the drum
and bugle corps gave four ruffles and
hourishes in appreciation of the pres
ence Of the chief executive OF the state.
FIRST TO SIP TOAST
Miss Florence Pardee. daughter Of
christened the California when il nrst
entered the waters OF San Francisco
bay. was a distinguished guest of the
day on the cruiser and was nrst TO sip
q toast IN honor OF the craft whose
destiny she started.
The festivity of the day started
with California sunshine and a
gently swelling sea that made the
launch ride from the Mission street
- - Cd1f-
fornia a delightful journey. The
Eayness Of the scene on board the bat
fleship was anticipated by the picture
OF gold braided state coionels and
Brightly gowned women who assembled
at the landing at ? o'clock to embark
for the cruiser. Several launches OF
the cruiser and other open hoats were
there to transport the guests OF the
day. The boat ride was through the
great white way Of dressed battieships
and cruisers
CAPTAIN GREETs GOVERNOR
Governor G1l1ett was piped over the
rail with all the ritual of the sea by
four saiuting blue3ackets while the
marine band played welcoming strains.
Captain Cottnan. his cooked hat In his
hand, came from the stern to greet
the governor and Lieutenant Governor
Warren r. Porter. The members Of
the governors staff, a score OF coloneis
and Lieutenant coionels, followed the
commander in chief OF the state militia.
Frank J. symmss. chairman of the COM
mittee which arranged for the silver
service. came on & later boat.
On the after dick, near the eight
inch gun turret, the huge punch howl
and saiTeT of the silver service was
placed in state. It was surrounded by
the admitting guests OF the committee
and the ship. while Governor Gillett
went below decks to fraternize with
Admiral Sehree and Captain Cottman
IN the captains cabin.
This epecimen of the cruisers serv-
ice wac a beautiful sample Of the
silversnIth's art. The bowl was of
graceful design and on the crest was
q prOHling golden bear. smiling the
sea. or perhaps the punch that viii go
btates it's social triumphe and war
bcEsed W gold the seal OF the state
and in the center were the engraved
words:
Presented 20 the
United States Cruiser
caiifornia
By the People OF the State
1905"
The other pieces OF the service were
similarly embossed and engraved and
mounted with the smiling little golden
bear.
70 the Fssues and nourishss Governor