The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1909-02-16

To Rear Admiral Charles S. Sper-
ry, a strict disciplinarian. a man OF
few words, but a recognized scholaf
and constant student of the higher
arts of naval science, fell the task OF
directing the fleet on all but the
first $4,000 miles of its journey.
Rear Admiral Robley d. Evans, now
retired. took the fleet out of Hamp-
ton Roads on December 16, 1907,
and although Illness soon after the
start confined him TO his capih TOT
a greater part of the way. ne re-
tanned command until San Francisco
was reached and the first stage OF
the long trip had been accomplished.
Roar Admiral Evans found 1t neces-
sarv while the ships were at the tar
gets in Magdalena bay, to leave the
fleet and seek treatment at Paso
Robles Hot Springs, Cal. His flag
lieutenant went with him and he re-
/ tanned his rank of commander In
chief. When the ships reached Mon
! terey bay. the last stopping place on
the Pacific coast prior TO the entry
into San Francisco harbor. Admiral
Evans was helped aboard his old
/ HdRSlllD
when the Connecticut entered the
Golden Gate at the head of the most
formidable array of fighting vessels
ever gathered under one flag. me
Atlantic and Pacific fleets joined
company in the bay and there were
more than 10 ships in the four long
columns that came to anchor under
Evans blue ensign. Three days Ia
ter Admiral Evans hauled down his
flag for all time. He was succeeded
as commander in chief by Rear Ad-
miral Charles NJ. Thomas, who sailed
from Hampton Roads in command OF
the second squadron. Because OF
Admiral Evans illness, the burden or
the diplomatic calls. the speeches and
the entertaining of the trip around
South America and up the California
coast, fell upon Admiral Thomas.
Coupled with his duties as second in
command, with the commander in
chief i'll, the social burden was not
a light one. Admiral Thomas was
plainly failing in health when he sue
eeeded Admiral Evans and he re-
tanned official command only from
May 9 to 10. 1908, being relieved at
that time, ahead of the departments
plans. in order that he might enjoy
a rest. As the fleet was sailing from
San Francisco two months later. Ad-
miral Thomas died suddenly at Del
Monte, Cal.
Death has twice invaded the ranks
of the captains who sailed with the
fleet. but i'm both instances the of
ficers had previously been relieved
from duty. Captain Henry McCrea.
of the Georgia, a most popular officer,
died soon after his return to the east
following REIMBURSEMENT of COM
mand at San Francisco. Captain
Greenlief 4. Merriam, who took the
Missouri to the Pacific coast, capa-
BILE man, also died within compare
lively short time after turning his
vessel over to a successor.
Rear Admiral Sperry. who re-
turns as commander in chief, sailed
as commander of the fourth division
of the fleet. being ranked by both
Admirals Evans and Thomas. Rear
Admiral William "A. Emory. was the
fourth of the sailing admirals, and
he was retired while the ships were
at Manila Captains Seaten Schroe-
der, of the Virginia; Richard VAIN
wright, of the Louisiana, and William
L. Potter, of the Vermont. We're the
captains who attained flag rank dur
ing the cruise.
Leaving Hampton Roads on a
cloudless day in December, 1907,
after review by the president from
the bridge of the Mayfower. the first
run of the feet took it to Trinidad.
IL had been announced that the prac-
tiee cruise would end on the west
coast of the United States. but hard
ly had the ships got under way than
the fact became known that IL was
really Mr. Roosevelt's intention to
have the 6 battleships eifcumnavi-
gate the globe. At Trinidad the first
of the gaieties occurred. The officers
and men of the fleet were welcomed
with hospitality which set a mark for
all succeeding receptions and from
that time on each succeeding port
tried to Guido its predecessor. The
climax of lavish displays, of parties
and receptions, undoubtedly came in
Australia and Japan, although it
would be difficult for the officers and
men today to say just where it was
the people tried hardest TO make
their stay pleasant one. Among
the men, Los Angeles will always be
a bright memory, for It was there
that they first came into their own
on the trip and all entertainments
were arranged in particular for the
enlisted force IL was in Los Angeles
also that Jim" Jeffries, champion OF
the world. refereed the sailors box
ing bouts and mingled with them in
all their sports.
From Trinidad the fleet called next
at Rio. where the days of the visit
were overerowded with social events
At Rio an unfounded rumor told OF
plot by anarchists to blow up some
of the American vessels. The firsi
thrill of fear which swept the nation
- 4 a.