Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-16
SAN DIEGO SEES
A RECORD PARADE
FIVE THOUSAND MARINES AND
JACK TARs MARCH IN BIG MA
VAL sPEcTAcLE-To REMAIN
# THERE FOUR DAYS.


ond day of the stay of the battleship
fleet at this port. was made notable
by the landing of the largest force OF
marines and bluejackets ever seen on
shore in parade in the United States.
Five thousand men and officers were
brought in from the ships and at 2:30
O'Clock began a march of mile and
half from the water front to the city
park, where the ceremonies of San
Diego's official welcome to the fleet
will be held One company of ma
rines and four companies of bluejack-
cts was furnished by each of the
ships. These companies were divid-
ed into five divisions and a band Of
u players from the ships accompany
each of the five divisions.
8. Gold Medals for AdmiraIs.
The ceremonies at the city park to
be held late in the afternoon include
formal addresses of welcome by Gov
ernor Gillett and Mayor Forward. Ad-
miral Thomas will reply briefly to
each of these and will accept from the
local committee in custody for Ad-
miral Evans the golden key to the
city Admirals Thomas, Sperry and
Emery will be decorated with gold
medals commemorative Of their visit
Tonight there will be another illumin-
alton of the fleet and ball in honor
of the naval officers
The First Home Port.
The battleship fleet yesterday sailed
into San Diego bay, the first home
port it has entered since beginning it's
long trip from Hampton Roads around
the horn. 1t will remain here four
days.
Gov. James N. Gillett was here to
welcome the fleet. Local committees
also went to the Connecticut to vel.
come Admiral Thomas and the men of
the fleet. Last night Admirals Thorn
as, Sperry and Emery and the COM
manding officers and members of the
various staffs were entertained at a
dinner.
The beauty of the days naval spec
tacle when the ships were brought to
anchor, was rivaled last night when
every vessel was outlined in fire. In
fairylike form the ships stood out
against the night, and in letters six
feet high the name of each vessel was
spelled across its forward bridge.
Ships In Splendid Condition.
The splendid condition of the ships
was manifested in every way. Out
wardly they were the same sparkling
white and buff units of powerful ag-
gregation Of fighting force that point
ed their way out of Hampton Roads
on home coast, 5000 miles away,
with the President showing the way
on his cruiser yacht, Mayfiower. In
ternally, the ships we're in better con-
dition than when they started, en-
gines working wit hthe smooth thrust
and throw of perfect bearings and
careful handling and boilers making
steam with less consumption of coal
because of the increased efficiency in
the firing rooms
The wash Of the waves along the
water line displayed from two to
three feet of red armor belts and
showed comparatively little sea
growth, despite the long stay in the
temperate and tropical waters.
Welcomed by Governor.
Soon after the fleet had come to
anchor Gov Gillett, accompanied by
his staff. went aboard the Connecticut
from a launch AS the party went on
board all the officers were drawn up
ait attention on the forward deck.
Gov Gillett was shown to the cabin,
where Admiral Thomas received him
They returned Immediately to the
deck, and there the governor made a
brief address of welcome.