 The battleships were accompanied during the first leg of their voyage by a "Torpedo Flotilla" of six early destroyers, as well as by several auxiliary ships.The destroyers and their tender did not actually steam in company with the battleships, but followed their own itinerary from Hampton Roads, Virginia to San Francisco, California.Also of note is that the armored cruiser preceded the Fleet itinerary for its first and second legs by about a month, perhaps making arrangements to later receive the Fleet.