The San Francisco call., 1908-04-12
FLEET LEAVES
MAGDALENABAY
FOR SAN DIEGO
Sixteen BattIeships Start on
Last Leg of Voyage to
Golden Gate
Rear Admiral Thomas on Flag.
ship Connecticut Leads
the Way
Southern City In Gala Dress
Awaits Arrival of Ships
Tuesday Noon

SAN DIEGO. April 1.-THE Al.
lantic feet of 16 first class battle
ships began today the last leg of its
originally planned cruise from Harnp-
ton roads to the Golden gate. The
four divisions of the feet weighed an
ehor at p. N and three-quarters Of
an hour later were steaning out OF
Msgdalcna bay in the wake Of the
flagship Connecticut The command
ing figure on the after bridge of the
flagship was that OF Rear Admiral
Charles NJ Thomas. who began the
journey to the Pacific as head OF the
second squadron. but who was pro-
NOTED 10 command during the enforced
absence OF Rear Admiral Robley d.
Evans
Sailing in single column formation.
according to dispatches received here.
the ships passed Sail rock and round
Ing Entrada point. one OF the head
lands marking the gateway to the har-
Dor turned in wide circle 10 ths
north The six black huIIed destroy
ing salute to the big white vessels and
the historic stay OF the American bat
tIeships in the Mexican bay was az
an end
ALLOWS 80 HOURS
An easy journey OF $40 miles lies be-
fore the feet, which is scheduled 70 ar
rive here and anchor on Coronado
Beach at I D. m Tuesday Admiral
Thomas has allowed So hours for the
run up the coast. requiring an average
OF only nine knots an hour. The ships
started away at the usual cruising
speed of 10 knots. however. and viii
slow down during the latter part OF
the journey. The early hour OF de-
parture was fixed to guard against the
possibility OF delay by fog.
When the ships reach San Diego
they viii have logged 1859 knots
since their departure from Hampton
roads December Is The Connecticut
has 1.240 knots additional to its eredi,
on account OF the trip 10 this port last
week 70 bring Admiral Evans ashore
and subsequent return TO Masdaiena
bay.
Every coast city from san Diego 10
San Francisco will see the feet In ths
next four weeks. II having been ar
ranged that at all points whsrs no
stop is scheduled the ships will pass
as close to shore as possible. always
being well within the range OF vision
of persons gathered along the blurs
and beaches.
CITY Is IN GALA DRESS
Preparations for the four days stay
OF the ships at San Diego are prac-
ticaliy complete and the city is gaiIy
dressed in flags and tricoIorsd bunting.
In this coDmunity OF 40. 900 inhabitants
fund % almost $4,000 has been
raised for the entertainment OF the Of
hcers and men OF the navy. Interest
IN the coming OF the ships Is intense.
the strong sentiment being rejected in
the banners which evsrywhsrs wave a
welcome to our heet-''
San Diego has set an example which
undoubtedly will be followed at AL OF
the other California cities. where Ad-
miral Evans will be unable TO partici-
pate In the ceremonies. by arranging
10 pay distinctly personal tribute 70
Rear Admiral Thomas. who viii be the
senior officer IN command here. A
handsome silver mounted cut glass
buffet service has been subscribed for
and suitably engraved and will be pre-
sented to Admiral Thomas next
Wednesday afternoon when he viii
also accept on behalf OF Admiral
Evans q golden key to the city. set
with kunzite. tOurmalines and other
San Diego county gems