Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-15
FLEET ANCHORS
OFF SAN DIEGO
GILLETT GREETS THOMAS ON
BEHALF OF STATE
ROUND OF GAY FESTIVITIES 10
BEGUN
AdmiraIs and Other Officers Guests
at Ranquet-Thousands OF Or
anges Distributed to
Enlisted Men
Continued from Page one'

(C0utiuueu 1IOm Ao&V
pressive, white and burr u uIiit9 &c
powerful aggregation of hghtIIs Isl,oton note
that nointed their way out OF Haliptoli
,aads an n home coast 5000 miles away
with tbe president showing the way oIi
his cruiser yacht the MayfloWer' IN
+ernallv the ships were in better coilui-
tion than when they started, engines
working with the smooth thrust anu
throw of perfect bearings ana carelui
handling and boilers making sleaIll
with less consumption Of coal because
" a. Increased efficiency in the firing
rooms. a,.,,, tho
water line displayed from two to three
feet of the red armor belts and shoNeu
hut comparatively little sea CROWN
DESPITE the long stay in temperate anu
tropical waters.
Thomas on Bridge
Pear Admiral Thomas, commanding
ms on the bridge of the Connectlcut
az fbe fleet steamed to it's anchorase'
rThe absence of Rear Admiral EVANS
WHO is iu at Paso Robles. is deeply
,,agretted on all sides. Admiral Thomas
AT the dinner tonight referred 10 'ie
matter with much feeling. -.
Filmv ribbons of smoke on the hoIl-
zon gave the first hint of the approach
Inc vessels this morning, although wire
less messages had already told OF ther
raor nresence. Eyes were strained 10
catch the sight of tho ships and tele-
scopes and marine glasses were at d
premium. .,...,;,,.- ond
The day had opened threatening ana
II was not until after 10 O'Clock that tno
SIM burned its way through the bahh
of towering clouds. Once It's rays had
nenetrated the mist. however, the SKY
nuiekly cleared and by the time the
feet came into view there was not
f]eck to be seen.
The shores of Coronado beach were
lined for a mile or more with an en-
thusiastic throng gathered from Hi
over the west
The sixteen ships first were traced tar
TO the southwark by filmy spirals OF
smoke floating along the horizon more
than two hours before the flash or sig
nails and the splash of heavy anchors
brought them to rest in the blue waters
of the ocean just off Hotel del Coro-
nado. r..
From the moment the big vessels first
became visible the crowds on every
vantage point the beach afforded stood
in silent admiration watching the beau
tifully executed maneuvers Whlch
brought the fleet in lines of division to
their allotted places.
The snectacIe as the ships took form
out OF lne ulSidHCC anu NcAAiiS AANeN-0
and nearer during the two hours of
waiting was the most splendid naval
picture the Pacific coast has ever
lnoWn. changing from two long lines
of eight ships each, the fleet was
divided into divisions of fours, the nag
ships steaming abreast at the lead or
their respective columns Nearest In
shore came the Connecticut flying the
blue flag of Rear Admiral Charles M.
Thomas. senior in command.
Big Vessels In Line
Behind the Connecticut were the YER
mont. the Kansas and the Louisiana,
all sister ships. and forming the heavi-
est and most spectacular of the diyis-
ions.
The Connecticut was here two weeks
ago with Admiral Evans, but she was
gray with the CRIME of heavy target
practice then, while today she appeared
an immaculate picture in white and
buff.
To the left of the Connecticut steam
ed the Georgia, flagship of Rear Ad-
miral Emory, commanding the second
division, and in her wake were the
Rhode Island Virginia and New Jer-
sey.
The third line from the shore was
headed by the Alabama, flagship of Ad-
miral Sperry, who is now in command
of the second squadron and third divis-
ion, but soon is to be the senior officer
of the entire fleet. With the Alabama
were the Illinois, Kearsarge and Ken
lucky.
The fourth and outboard column was
headed by the Maine with Captain Giles
B. Harber, flying a triangular flag of
blue from the main truck, denoting
temporary command of the division
which included the Missouri, Ohio and
Minnesota.
When the ships came into full view
they were seen to be steaming in lines
of divisions, four ships in each line.
The four flagships, the Connecticut,
Georgia, Alabama and Maine steamed
abreast Al the head of the columns.
Approaching the first OF the Coronado
islands the ships turned sharply inshOre
and made for the assigned anchorage
positions.
The absence of Rear Admiral Evans
leaves a vacancy in flag rank in the
fleet, The ships could be seen from
Coronado from the time they crossed
the Mexican boundary line. They were
headed then almost directly for the
Coronado islands.
When about six miles from the
anchorage ground they swung sharply
inshore and soon their identity could
he established. The alignment of the
various divisions was WCll-nigh per-
lCNt' uIil'lll llltl dis separating SHIPS
and divisions.
When about a mile and a half off
shore four MOIST signal flashed from
the forward arms of the Connecticut,
stand by to anchor" it was read and
in the space of a few seconds answer
ing signals in duplicate were broken
from all Of the ships.
The Vari-colOred flags showed their
reds, blues and yolloWs brilliantly In
the sun and gave a gala appearance to
the fleet No ideal of the marine artist
could have added to the effect.
Speed cones hanging from yard arms
on the fagships gradually descended
and the white combing bow waves I'm
front of the advancing ships grew
fainter and fainter until only the wash
of the blue waves against the cut
waters was left ana the ships stood
motionless.
No commanding voice or pipe of
boatswain could be heard on the shore,
but simultaneously almost anchors
were loosed and the splash of water as
the heavy iron hooks dragged several
tons of heavy chain after them into
the sea, told Of the safe arrival home
of the most noted of Americas fleets
Lost In admiration the crowds ashore
forgot to cheer. Absolute silence
marked the arrival.
AS soon as the Connecticut let go her
anchors Col. Thomas Wilhelm, II. S. A.
retired. on the staff of Governor Gill
lett, is assistant inspector general put