Four Naval Vessels Will Illuminate To-Night -- May 28, 2011

President William McKinley visited San Francisco in 1901 to break ground for the Admiral Dewey monument in Union Square and to observe the battleship Ohio being constructed at the Union Iron Works. Battleship Iowa served in the Spanish-American War. Battleship Wisconsin and torpedo boat Farragut were built by the Union Iron Works. Cruiser Philadelphia served various roles from 1890 to 1926. Admiral Silas Casey III was the son of a Civil War Union Army general.

From the 14-May-1901 San Francisco Call. William A Coulter did many maritime drawings for the newspaper. Click on the image to see a larger version.

FOUR NAVAL VESSELS WILL ILLUMINATE TO-NIGHT IN PRESIDENT McKINLEY'S HONOR.

Battleships Iowa and Wisconsin, Cruiser Philadelphia and Torpedo-Boat Farragut Will Make a Magnificent Showing on the Bay During the Presidential Reception in the Grand Nave of the Ferry Building — Each Man-of-War Will Be Decorated With Bunting and Electric Lights

THE warships now in port are all in readiness for the grand display to-night. The Farragut came over from Sausalito yesterday and during the afternoon her captain went aboard the flagship. The captains of the Wisconsin and Philadelphia also went aboard the Iowa and all three received their final instructions from Admiral Casey. The Farragut did not remain in the stream, but went back to her anchorage at Sausalito. She will be on hand to-night, however, and will help in the display to be made by the big vessels. Everything for the illuminating of the Iowa, Wisconsin and Philadelphia is ready and a few hours' work will see all in place. Each vessel will have her name spelled ouf in lights along her side, while the fighting masts and superstructures will be one mass of fiery designs. During the afternoon every man that can be spared will be landed at the foot of Folsom street. Both marines and bluejackets will then march to Fourth and Townsend streets, where they will take part in the parade in honor of the President. On their return to their respective ships they will proceed to get ready for the illumination of the evening.