The San Francisco call., 1908-07-08

With marine bands crashing out
patriotic airs on the quarterdecks. with
bells ringing and hags dipping the At
lantic feet Of Is battleships left san
Francisco harbor at 2 o'clock yester-
day afternoon for its cruise around the
world Bur FOR all the music and sound
and graceful ceremonial the departure
was impressive rather than spectacu-
lar.
The crowds rassed on pier end. lil-
side and roof top cheered not Lacking
was the thuIderous shout with which
The vessels OF war were welcomed 10
the city, wanting was the acclaim. The
crowd was silent and ia the very
silence OF its farewell was shown the
keeluess OF its loss. OF what use were
cheers What matrered huzzas2 The
heet had come and was now going
The friendships were being severed,
the great event Of a lifetime was pass
ing away, losing itself In the bank Of
fog believing ia from the Golden gate
The bells might ring and the bands
might play, but human hearts were
heavy and human tongues still Thus
by the silent crowds passed the great
ships. IN ike manner had they sailed
away from Monterey, from san Diego
and santa Barbara The ID, 600 men
took with them the gOodbys Of the
heart rather than those OF the lips.
The direct preparations for the de-
parture commenced at noon. Launches
which had been scurrying about the
bay, carrying the last batch OF mail.
taking ashore the last telegram and
bearing on board belated officers,
sought the shelter OF the broad sides
OF their respective vessels. Gangways
were hauled up, boats slung on their
davits and shortly after j o'clock the
vessels were ready 10 weigh anchor.
PRESIDENTS FAREWELL READ
Pending the orders from the Con
uecticut the crews Oa every ship were
called 10 muster and the commanding
officers read aloud a message from
President Roosevelt, bidding them fare
we'll Il was as follows
oyster Bsy, y. Y. July : 1903.
Pear Admiral Charles S. Spery. [. s. n
Commander II Chief, BattlesAip Fleet San Fra1-
send 10 rol and tie ofecers aad enlisted men
under you uy learriest good wishes On tie eve Of
vour departure That ne American people can
trust rhe Skilled efficiency and devotion 70 duty
~ lis represenrsrfves on rLe Geet has been abua-
gaurlr shown by the trip around South America
rnd know VIII be made equally manifest on the
return trlp across the Pacific Indian and Atlantic
oceans. You have IN q pecillar sense the honor
of the United States tu 5our keeping, and there
fo-e 10 body OF men in THIS world enjoys az this
moment greater privilege OF carries heavier re-
srons rb-lity THEODORE ROOSEVELT
The crowds. meantime. had been
gathering rapidly. Automobiles loaded
with girls dashed down 10 the wharves,
carriages brought down society, sad
eyed and lonely and streetcars emptied
their throngs. At few minutes be-
fore 2 o'clock the fateful signals broke
from the mainmast Of the Connecticut
The stars and stripes floating from the
gaf Ia the stern was hauled down and
appeared again at the peak. The ships
OF the first division huttered back the
signals and al the same instant the
Connecticut began 10 move through the
sTater.
One by one the white ships took up
their positions and headed for the
Golden gate In single column At the
CouffureH - r~~. IA N5fddI. C~y,,,,,-.