Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-21

ment's plans, in order that he might enjoy
a rest. AS the fleet was sailing from San
Francisco two months later Admiral
Thomas died suddenly at Del Monte, Cal.
Death Takes Two Captains.
Death has twice invaded the ranks of the
captains who sailed with the fleet, but in
both Instances the officers 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
at San Francisco. Captain Greenlief A.
Merriam, who took the Missouri to the
Pacific coast, a capable man, also died
within a comparatively short time after
turning his vessel over to a successor.
Rear Admiral Sperry, who returns as
commander-in-chief, sailed as commando
of the fourth division OF the fleet, being
outranked by both Admiral Evans and
Thomas. Rear Admiral William H. Emory
was the fourth of the sailing admirals.
and he was retired while the ships were at
Manila. Captains Seaton Schroeder OF the
louisiana, and william B. Potter OF the
Virginia, and William b. Potter OF the
Vermont, were captains who attained flag
rank during the cruise.
Leaving Hampton Roads on the cloudless
day in December, 1907, after a review by
the president from the bridge Of the May
flower, the first run of the fleet took it
to Trinidad. 1t had been announced that
the practice cruise would end on the west
coast OF the United States, but hardly had
the ships got under way than the fact
became known that 1t was really Mr..
Roosevelt's intention to have the sixteen
batleships -circumnavigatc the globe. At
Trinidad the first OF the gayeties occurred.
The officers and men Of the fleet were well
coined with a 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 II was
the people tried hardest TO make their
stay a pleasant one. Among the men, Los
Angeles will always be a bright memory,
for II was there that they first came
into their own on the trip and all enter
tainments were arranged in particular for
the enlisted force. It was I'm Los Angeles
also that Jim Jeffries, champion Of the
world. refereed the sailors boxing bouts
and mingled with them In all their sports.
Fear of Treaehery U~nfOunded.
From Trinidad the fleet called next at
Rio, where the days OF the visit were
overcrowded with social events At Rio
an ~unfounded rumor told OF a plot by
anarchists 10 blow up some of the American
vessels. The first thrill OF fear which
swept the nation was quickly dispelled
when the story was shown to be a pure
fabrication. From Rio the itinary led TO
Punta Arenas. that unique and interest
ing 'fatherest south settlement on the
Straits Of Magellan. Here again a hosplt-
able people made the stay OF the fleet a
exceedingly pleasant one. The Chilean
government sent a cruiser 10 accompany
the sixteen battleships through the treaeh-
erous waters OF the straits and although
the navlgators Of the American vessels
had already plotted their own course
through the narrow, roek-walled waterway.
the courtesy OF the South American nation
was fully appreciated.
When the ships had safely left the
straits. the department officials at WASH
ington undoubtedly bTeathed a Sigh Of
gratificd relief. although on the sixteen big
ironclsds themselves there was never a
question In the min OF any officer or
enlisted man as to the safety OF the sturdy
fighting craft. Sailing up the western
coast OF South America the fleet passed in