Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-28
SAILOR MEN
ENTRANCED
SANTA BARBARA'S PAGEANT
MAGNIFICENT
VIVID coLoRs FLASH UNDER
cLoUDLEss SKY
GayIy Arrayed Holiday Throng Enjoys
Battle of Flowers-Jack Tars
Dance In Open Air
Ball Room
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
SANTA BARBARA, April 27.--A day
OF vivid colors flashing in the brilliant
rays Of an undimmed sun, day re-
dolent of the perfume of spring bios
SONS and of petal-strewn pathways,
day of galy arrayed holiday throngs,
day of f1ower-decked coaches and
floats passing in review before thou
sands of cheering people, day of
white uniformed marching sailors with
fare as the passing pageant, day of
flying bouquets hurled in floral war
fare at the passing pabaent, a day of
soft southern jreeze, of blue skies and
deeper hued waters, of palm lined
ocean boulevards. and flowers, flowers,
flowers everywhere the eye could reach
-Isuch are the memories of Santa Bar
bara's floral festival today in honor of
the Atlantic battleship fleet.
Nor did the festivities end with the
setting of the sun, for tonight the ocean
front is gay with lights, with dancing
sailors gathered in an outdoor ball
room, with the radiance of the fleet IL
Illuminated and with lively music.
A brilliant indoor ball for the officers
is also feature of the gala event.
Floral Parade Wonderful
The floral parade in the afternoon
with it's wonderful setting of crowds
ashore and blue water and white ships
beyond the surf-beaten beach, formed a
picture of rainbow beauty unrivaled.
nF hn In
the pageant was planned, sat in great
tribunal amphitheater at the head of
the Plaza del Mar, facing the ocean,
and were unstinted in their applause.
The afternoon and evening of gayety
ashore were preceded by a morning of
hard work on most of the sixteen ships
at anchor in the ocean roadstead. There
are endless details of the celebration to
come that must be settled.
Preparations are being made by Ad-
miral Thomas, who is soon to transfer
his flag from the Connecticut back to
the Minnesota, in anticipation of the
return of Rear Admiral Evans to COM
mand of the fleet for it's entry through
the Golden gate of San Francisco. There
is stout work to be done on the broken
engine in the Missouri, and above all
there is the attempt to maintain disci-
pline and efficiency which much shore
leave to meet the wishes of the coast
cities of California has materially inter-
fered with.
Evans Changes Plans
1t was officially announced during the
day that Admiral Evans has decided to
adhere to his original intention and that
instead of rejoining the fleet at Mon
terey on May l, as recently announced.
he will wait until the afternoon of May
5, when Just before the ships leave
Santa Cruz he will board his old flag
ship. the Connecticut, and his ensign
will be broken from the main truck.
Rear admiral Thomas, who has been
senior officer present ever since the
fleet entered American waters, will
transfer his flag to the Minnesota on
the morning of May s. to make way for
the return of the commander-in-chief
during the afternoon. AS Admiral Ev-
ans has never been detached from COM
mand of the fleet, but has retained con-
troll during all the time he has been at
Past Robles hot springs, undergoing
treatment, there will be no formal or
official ceremony to mark his return to
command
The fleet enters the Golden gate at
noon on May s, the review occurs in San
Francisco harbor on May 8, and on May
10 Admiral Evans is expected to haul
down his flag permanently. The fleet
will then pass under actual command or
Rear Admiral Thomas for five days
On May IS he will be relieved at his
own request to make way for Rear
Admiral Charles S. Sperry, who is to
take the ships on their world cruise
back to New York.
Missouri Seriously Damaged
1t was said on the fleet today that the
damage to the port engine on the Mis-
souri, Is so serious that there is strong
possibility of the ship not being able to
accompany the fleet to the far east In
July. new cylinder head must be
planned and sent east, fitted and install
led. and 1t is doubtful If this can be
done in the time that intervenes before
the date of departure. The Missouri
viii continue with the feet to San
francisco and to Puget sound, as the
runs to the Pacific coast ports will be
made in easy stages In case the Mis-
souri, cannot go to the east, either the
Maine or the Alabama will be retained
in her place in the column of sixteen.
Many officers in the fleet have been
applying for leaves of absence ever
since the fleet reached the coast. So
numerous and insistent have the re-
Guests become that Admiral Thomas is
sued a circular today notifying every
hodv that no leaves would be granted
until after the review of May 8.
The fleet will leave here on Thursday
at 10 a. M, and will arrive at Monterey
the next morning at O'Clock. After
one day in Monterey the two sduadrons
~ the f,eet part company, the first go
inc RI santa Cruz the morning or the
2d The second squadron remains at
Monterey until the afternoon Of the 4th,
when it sails for Santa Cruz to remain
there until the afternoon OF the 5th;
when the reunited fleet, with Admiral
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