Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1912-03-07
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Sues as u nHSSeHSpT W NhVh NN''' |
honor permitted by Navy regulation
will be extended.
Hawaii did her best for the gallant ,
naval officer who has been so closely
identified with the islands. Just be- !
fore the hour appointed for the ccre-
monies, the sun broke through threat
ening skies. flooding the quarterback
with light and brightness and putting
more in place the dress white Of thei
officers. The interchange of flags
took place under truly tropical skies,
and Honolulu babe good-by to the old
and welcomed the new regime, with
her very best weather.
Cruisers at Dock.
Admiral Switzerland hauled down
his flag on the West Virginia shortly
after IL O'Clock, received the admir-
ais salute and left his ship with full
honors, to cross the Alakea wharf tot
the California, for at the last minute
another change in arrangements was
made, by which both cruisers were
fast to the dock during the inter-
change.
| Immediately the West Virginia cast
of and proceeded slowly to anchor
age outside, to be ready to get to sea
as soon as her distinguished passen
ger came aboard. As she passed the
stern of the California the band of the
latter ship played her homeward with
"A lively march, and the Royal Hawaii
an band, on the end of the dock, per-
formed a similar tribute,
Admiral Thomas Talks.
At l1:45 the officers were lined up
along the starboard rail OF the quar-
ter6eck. There was a minutes wait,
and then Admiral Thomas came up
the after-ladder. followed by Admiral
Switzerland Admiral Cowles. and
Commander Terhune, late chief of
staff. Admiral Thomas stepped for
ward. II was plain that he was I'M
der the stress OF great emotion, for
his fingers fumbled with the order he
held in his hand. But his voice was
steady, full and resonant as he faced
the crew forward and said
Before relinquishing command of
this fleet wish to thank officers ana
men alike for their loyal devotion to
duty during my command, and for
their splendid conduct ashore. Ey-
eryone has done his duty cheerfully
and well. Nothing more can be asked
of naval men,
The Admiral then read a cable Or
der from the Navy Department, direct
ing him to relinquish command of the
neet on March Z, and to proceed home
travelling on the West Virginia II
desired-and also nominating Admiral
|Southerland as COMMUNICATIVE chief.
Haul Down Ny Flag"
Haul down my flag, Captain Har-
low" said Admiral Thomas, turning
to the CALIFORNIA; commander
And as thirteen guns doomed their
salute to the run of the flag hallards,
everyone aboard stood at salute, that
was genuine sign of respect and
affection, not mere form.
i Admiral Switzerland then stepped
forward and read his orders from Ad-
m'ral Thomas, directing him to as
sumo command of the feet.
And In pursuance to these orders
! hereby assume command OF the Uni
ted States Pacific feet" said Admir-
al Switzerland.
As his flag was raised every shiu
or the fleet and the naval station
walked the echoes of the waterfront
with simultaneous salute of thirteen
guns.
Exchange Had Meaning.
The ceremony OF transfer was over.
Admiral Switzerland had attained the
goal striyen for by every naval officer
from The moment he leaves the acad-
envy : command of fleet. But II
was plain that the pleasure of per-
sonal success WAS much dimmed by
the necessity of saying good-by to q
valued friend. The relations between
the two Admirals since they have
been together in the Pacific fleet have
always been of the pleasantest, and
the exchange OF flags this morning
mad a far deeper meaning than is usu-
ally the case.
The real personal tribute to Admir-
al Thomas came later, when at 49, 50
he left the California for the West
Virginia, rowed by crew of thirteen
/ ''' '"N''o' us HldIh Ol IeSDpCt
was almost too much for the Admiral
lie was deeply affected as the officers
: bent to their oars with will and his
! old flagship was left.astern. I.ieuten-
ant Commander Leahy, fleet ordnance
; oihcer, acted as coXswain, the rowers
: being Lieutenant Commander Mellow
ell, Lieutenant Commander Major
, Lieutenant Stevens, Midshipman Boz
susch, Paymastcr Beecher, Mldship-
man Callaghan, Ensign Hill, Midship-
man Bennison, Lieutenant Keiran and
Ensign Ba6t.
Say sood-by for me to all Homo
, lulu" was Admiral Thomas message
through the Bulletin. ut has
been Il happy visit and leave with
the pleasantest recollections of the
place and people"