Roosevelt came on board Maine to confer with Evans. Admiral Evans on the Maine departed New York on 28 December for winter quarters in Cuban waters. On 15 April 1907, Evans' flagship Maine returned to Hampton Roads. On 16 April 1907, Evans hauled down his flag on the Maine and then hoisted it on the battleship Connecticut, flagship for the world cruise. The Great White Fleet Rear Admiral Evans commanded the Great White Fleet 16 April 1907 from Hampton Roads, Virginia, in its passage from the Atlantic Ocean through the Straits of Magellan to the Pacific Ocean, where he was relieved of command in San Francisco, California, 9 May 1908, because of ill health. Admiral Evans retired from the Navy upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 62 on 18 August 1908. He died in Washington, DC, on 3 January 1912. Honors Rear Admiral Evans was entitled to the Civil War Campaign Medal, Sampson Medal, and Spanish Campaign Medal. Two destroyers, USS Evans (DD-78), launched 30 October 1918, and USS Evans (DD-552), launched 4 October 1942, were named in his honor. Evans Avenue in San Francisco is named for him. Dates of rank Acting midshipman, 20 September 1860 Acting ensign, 1 October 1863 Master, on Retired List, 10 May 1866 Lieutenant on Retired List, 25 July 1866, Active List, 25 January 1867 Lieutenant commander, 12 March 1868, Active List Commander, 12 July 1878 Captain, 27 June 1893 Rear admiral, 11 February 1901 Retired List, 18 August 1908 Total time in service – 47 years, 10 months, 28 days Gallery References Further reading External links Biography of Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans, from Naval Historical Center's Online Library of Selected Images Biography of Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans, from Spanish–American War Centennial site 1846 births 1912 deaths Union Navy officers American military personnel of the Spanish–American War United States Navy rear admirals United States Naval Academy alumni People from Floyd County, Virginia People of Virginia in the American Civil War Military personnel from Virginia