Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1909-04-29

ed u.s. The city was decorated with
flags and bunting, and at night illum-
mated with vari -colored electric
lights The battleships also illumina-
ted each night and presented very
pretty sight.
A monster parade was given the
next day, after which large parties
went ashore to visit the city. The
chief attractions here were the ostrich
farms. ruins of the old mission found
ed by Padre Junipero Sierra in 1859,
San Luis Rey mission and the pigeon
ranch, where thousands Of pigeons are
raised annually.
Our pleasant stop soon drew to a
close and April Is found us at anchor
in the large harbor of San Pedro. The
next morning the fleet broke up into
four divisions, the first division CON-
posed of the Connecticut, Kansas, Yer
mont and Louisiana. remaining at San
gia, Rhode Island, New Jersey and
Virginia, going to Long Beach; the
third division, Minnesota, Ohio, Mis-
souri, and Maine, going to Santa Mon
ica, and the fourth division. Alabama,
Illinois, Kentucky and Kearsarge, 60
ing to Redondo Here visitors were al
lowed to board and many thousands
flocked on board each day. Los Angel
es, a large -and enterprising city, TWEEN
ty miles inland, had prepared an elab-
orate reception for the feet, accommo-
dating 1000 men each day.
The mornings were devoted to field
athletics and boxing between men of
the fleet and local talent At noon a
great barbecue was given. after which
cars conveyed the parties TO another
park where they were entertained with
real wild west show given by the
Vaquero Club of Los Angeles. Oran-
ges were distributed by the thouands
In the evening theaters and dance
halls were opened, the uniform being
the only ticket needed.
The days passed altogether too quick
ly, and we were soon hosting our an
chors, bound for Santa Barbara, where
smother parade and similar eutertin-
ments were enjoyed. Monterey and
Santa Cruz were also visited. with
brief stops at each port.
On the evening of May the fleet
arrived at the Sam Francisco lightship,
where we anchored to wait for the
monning, which was TO see as safel
ly within the Golden Gate
after cruise OF over a., GOO miles,
covering a period of almost five
months. Morning dawaed with q
slight rain and heavy fogs. but e"wart
noon the weather cleared sufficiently
and the fleet got underway at moon
passing through the Golden Gate abon
ESQ p. an. The hill tops @n both side
were black with cheeuing people, hun
dreds of boats lined the haGbOr blow
ing their whistles and SIRENS, givinl
us noisy welcome. AS we passed Am
gel Island the Pacific Fleet Joined GU
eolnmn, and in this manner we passe,
the Yorktown, flying the flag of ts
secretary OF the navy. A salute of 4
gums was fired in his honor
When the feet reached the upper en-,
of the harbor ii signal appeared at tn
yardarm of the Connecticut, and as i
came down the ships swung into thre
columns, counter marching down t
the Oakland shore, where anchors wer
dropped.
After long and tedious trip tn
feet arrived on time, in better shap
than when it faad started, making {
name for the American Navy and tn
American shipbuilders which will b
one of the brightest pages of futur
history.