Arizona republican., 1908-04-15

San Diego. April 1.-The American battleship fleet sailed home today on d summer sea. In four regularly inter- valed columns. with the flagship lead ing abreast pointing the way to the first home anchorage, the sixteen ships swept into the sheltered cove behind the towering headlands of Point Loma and halted for. four days of merrymaking for the men and of ficers.
 Governor J. \. Gillett. who is here to officially welcome the fleet, called upon Rear Admiral Thomas. com
 manding in the absence of Evans. and who repaid the visit in the afternoon. Local committees also went to the
 Connecticut to tell Thomas. and through him, all the men of the fleet, how glad the people of California are
 to see such a splendid representation
 of the American navy as the battle ship fleet constitutes.
 Tonight. Admirals Thomas. Sperry and Emory commanding officers. and the members of their various staffs
 were entertained at an elaborate and informal dinner at Hotel Del Corona do. Tonight for three hours every vessel was outlined in fire. Thousands of incandescent bulbs were strung along the deck lines, up the military masts, far out on the signal yard arms and uo and down the huge tunnels, and down to the waters edge at the stem and stern. In letters six feet
 high, the name of every vessel was spelled across the forward bridge. During the half hour period of illu- imitation. d searchlight display was made. adding infinitely to the wonder fuI effect. on shore scores of red fires were maintained throughout the evening. as a welcome signal
 The fleet let go anchors at 12:47 D. m. just thirteen minutes before the anno6need hour of arrival For two hours the ships had been in sight and their coming had been watched by the awaiting throngs. The splendid con- dition O. the ships -as manifest in every way. Outwardly. they were the same as when the- left Hampton Roads. Internally the ships are in better condition than when they start ed. The engines are working with d smooth thrust. perfect bearings show careful handling, and the boilers make steam with less consumption of coal because of the increased efficiency in the firing rooms. The wash of the waves displayed from two to four feet of red armor belts. which showed comparatively little sea growth. de- spite the long stay in temperate and tropic waters. Thomas was on the bridge of the Connecticut as the fleet to anchorage.
 As soon as the Connecticut let go her anchors. Colonel Thomas Wilhelm L. s. \. retired. or the staff of Gov. Gillett, as assistant inspector general put out from the shore and was re- ceived on board the flagship. He pre- sented the compliments of the govern or to Thomas and said the chief exec utive wished to call and pay his re- spects and formally extend welcome to California waters. Admiral Thomas replied that he would be glad to re- ceive Governor Gillett at 2:S0 D. m. At that hour. the governor. accompa- nied by the uniformed members of his staff. repaired aboard the flagship. taking the government launch from Coronado pier. As the party went on board from the starboard gangway the sides were manned by all the of ficers of the ship drawn up at atten- ton on the quarter deck.
 Governor Gillett was shown to the 'abin. where Thomas received him. They returned immediately to the leck. where the governor made a brief address. At the completion of the ad- iress of the governor Admiral Thomas called for three cheers for the govern pr and the people of California. They were given with d will. the admiral leading. As the governor passed over he side on his return to the shore. d salute of seventeen guns was fired in