The San Francisco call., 1908-05-18
SPERRYS FLEET
HOSTS ANCHOR
THIS MORNING
Battleships Leave for Visit to
Puget Sound Points and
British Columbia
Admiral Dayton and the Pacific
Squadron Sail to Santa Bar
bara for Drill

With the West Virginia, flying Ad-
mlTal Dayton's flag. in the lead, the
Pacific squadron sailed out of the
Golden gate early yesterday morning.
1t was the beginning of the end of
the momentous assembly of the
American feet in San Francisco bay.
At 10 O'Clock this morning the Allan
TIC feet will leave the harbor 70. its
northern cruise and the visit OF the
feet will become matter of his
tory.
The departure of the Pacific feet was
quiet and unOstentatious- At o'clock,
before the city was fully awake, the
signals TO weigh anchor fiuttered from
the mssts of the West Virginia. A few
minutes later il began TO glide through
the waters. the Pennsylvania, Colorado
and Maryland OF the first division fol-
lowing behind at regulation distance.
The second division. led by the flagship
Tennessee. went in the wake of the
Maryland. the Washington following
the flagship. the California and Charles
ton coming next and the gunboat York
town bringing Up the rear.
FEW SAW GRAND SIGHT
The sight OF the fleet departing was
magnificent one. but there were few
10 witness X. There was not the
slightest semblauce Of a crowd, and
had it not been for the launches in the
bay which footed a farewell as the
ships swept by. their going would have
been in absolute silence There was
scarce need OF 4 farewell as the feet
only goes 10 the Santa Barbara channel
for feet drill and VIII return TO san
Francisco before long. but the depar-
ture was significant. as it meant the
breaking up Of the gathering of the
American feet
Shortly after the Yorktown had
cleared the Golden gate the crowds be-
gan 10 pour down TO the water front 10
have the last day on board the battle
ships OF the Atlantic feet
Except for the visitors the day was
a quiet one on board Father Gleason
held the regular services on board the
Connecticut. There was an early mass.
followed By a general service for Cath
elies and non-Catholics, and later a
second mass. Besides this. every ship
sent details on shore 10 attend church
services and many OF those VINO were
given shore leave took advantage OF
the opportunity 70 go 20 church.
STREETS BARE OF SAILORS
The usual complement OF men were
given liberty leave from the ships yes
NNI-o-e, Jul 0A4 Ar4E DH DOGIu ,
O'Clock last night. The police and ma
rine patrols herded up the straggiers
and by 6 o'clock the familiar bluejacket
had disappeared from the streets OF
San Francisco.
Sailing orders were set yesterday for
s o'clock this morning. when every
thing viii be in readiness for Weighing
anchor large number OF the visit
ors were attracted 20 the New Jersey.
on which a band concert was given. An
impromptu dance took place on the
Ohio.
The feet will sail out of the bay un-
der the command OF Admiral Sperry.
who became the senior admiral the
moment Admiral Dayton left the harbor
on the West Virginia
After touching at the Puget sound
points and British Columbia the second
and fourth divisions will drydock at the
Bremerton navy yard. but the first and
third divisions VIII return 10 San Fran
cisco about June , and enter the navy
yards al Mare island TO prepare for the
trip around the world Though no
definite date has been set for sailing
the probabilities are that the entire
Atlantic feet viii reassembIe in san
Francisco bay toward the end of June
and start on the world tour during the
first week OF July.
The Pacific feet VIII not accompany
the Atlantic feet TO the orient. specific
orders TO that extent having been re-
ceiyed from Washington.