The state herald., 1908-05-15
TURNS OVER THE COMMAND TO
REAR ADMIRAL CHARLES NJ.
THOMAS.
TO RETIRE IN AUGUST
HIS ELOQUENT ADDRESS OF
FAREWELL is READ ON EACH
OF THE SHIPS.

Robley D. Evans nag was hauled down
Saturday from the main truck of the
battleship Connecticut in San Fran,
cisco harbOr amid salute of thirteen
guns, and the first commander.in-ch
of Americas first battleship fleet is
now on his way to his home In Wash.
lngton to remain ON waiting orders I'M
I'll the date Of his retirement for age
on his siXtysecOnd birthday, the 18th
of August
Accompanied by members of his fam.
lily and his stan, Admiral Evans left
at $50 p. m. No advance announce
ment Of the hour Of departure had been
made, in order that crowds at the ferry
terminal and the Oakland railways
might be avoided.
As The blue ensign of the retiring
commander huttered down to the after
bridge Of the Connecticut. a new flag
of similar design was broken out IN
token Of the presence OF new chief
Rear Admiral Charles NJ. Thomas, who
brought the ships from Magdalena bay
TO Santa Cruz, and who acted for Ad-
miral Evans at all the South American
and Southern California social func-
tions OF the cruise, taking over control
of the big fleet in his own right
The new commander was salutcd by
thirteen guns, fired from every ship in
the fleet. On board each Of the six
teen batticships, the six torpedo boat
dcstroyors and the auxiliarics Of the
Atlantic feet an address from the de.
parting commanderin-chief was read.
Admiral Evans was not permitted by
his physician TO go aboard the Conuec-
ticut during the ceremonies attending
his REIMBURSEMENT Ot active naval scry-
ice. The address expressed the great
regret the admiral felt in leaving the
ships and his thanks for the loyal sup.
port OF the men and officers during his
long tour OF command. The address In
full was as follows:
United States Atlantic Fleet, L, S,
S. Connecticut, Flagship.
san Francisco. Cal. May g. 1908,
Fleet General order No. O.
Upon relinquishing command Of the
United States Atlantic feet and haul
Ing down my flag this day aboard the
U. S. S. Connecticut. fapship. / desire
to express to the officers and men of
the fleet my great regret at leaving
them aud my appreciation and hearty
thanks for their continuous and loyal
support. II has been source OF much
qualification and pride 10 me through
out my period Of command, not only TO
see the number Of vessels In the fleets
steadily Increase and the units becOms
more and more formidable. but 10 see
the steady Improvement In drill. shoot
ing and In everything that tends TO ef.
fcicucy, and especially TO witness the
growth Of that feeling OF cumadoshlp
and spirit which transforms a group oi
vessels into an efficient war fleet /
am sure that both officers md men feel
this same pride In the great Increase
Of efficiency In these matters, and, as
81 has been accomplished through their
loyalty and zeal, TO them | extend my
thanks for all that they have done.
In taking leave Of them. ! wish to
say TO each and every one that thcy
have my warmost sympathy and best
wishes for continued prosperity and
good fortune In the future. ] shall al
ways watch their movements with
pride and interest. and trust they will
extend TO my successors tho same 10y.
atty and hearty support that they have
always given me In order that ! may be
able TO sec from my home the feet
which I am now leaving progress
steadily IN efficiency. so that D. may
Justify the faith Of our people that our
war feet Is and always will hr per
feet source Of strength for upholdnE
the safety and honor ~ our nag and
security for such MS pass on the seas
uUDn their lawful nFgNNlUHH
Il desire that this order may be
read rs soon ns possible at q special
muster aboard every ship In the fleet
aR a farewell greeting from a departing
commanderin'ohlcf. IN whose heart
the officers and men will ever md the
warmest sympathy,
tslgnodj 'R. d EVANS.
Rear Admiral u, s, n,
"Commnndorin Chief United States At
lantic Floot"
The aalutcs prescribed by naval reg
ulntiuna were tho only Manifestations
Of pnmp or ceremony attending Nd
mifai Thomas assumption Of COM
mand, II was his desire that tho 70
aulfomrnta NJ the occasion should be-
NJ simple nH possible, Not long after
his nag was Tying ho had returned 10
the shore 10 participate In tho welcome
which Oakland, across the bny-dea
sired 20 extend 10 tho fleet,
Alter a late night ashore, attending
the city banquet NJ the 81 Francis and
tho urcenway ball NJ the Falrmant ho.
tel senior md junior officers alike
were turned our early next morning 10
march In n brigade parade of blue.
jackets and marines from the combined
feetH through the streets ot Oakland
and In review ot tho secretary OF the
navy. oakland being his home city
Another long week of neYerendlng
rayetinH IN before the officers and men
Of the Atlantic leot here before they
set sail Tor Seattle aud other cities ON
Puget sound on May 18th