THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 114, 13 May 1908, Page 5

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

VISIT TO AUCKLAND. A message from the United States Department of State has been received by i the American Consul-General (Mr. W. A. Prickitt), corinrnimg the information that the fleet will arrive in Auckland - on August 9. remaining until August 15. THE RECEPTION _ The sub-committee appointed in connection with the civic reception to be : tendered to the officers and men -of the : visiting American fleet, have appointed . Mr. H. G. Palethorpe to the position of secretary. The services of Mr. W. O. Garland have been engaged as assistant secretary, it being thought desirable .that one official should remain constantly in the office, while the other was making inquiries and carrying out outside arrangements.

ADiITRAL SPERRY. - • ". Admiral Sperry," who has succeeded Rear-Admiral fitvaas in command of the American Battleship Elect, has had long and distinguished service in the U.S. Navy. He is a native of New York, but is credited to Connecticut in his appointment to the Naval Academy. He became a Rear-Admiral in May>- 1906. During the war with Spain, Admiral Sperry was equipment officer in the New York Navy Yard. " Afterward he was given command of the Yorktown in Philippine waters, and directed the movements of the landing; party on the eastern shore of Luzon, which is now regarded as one of the j most thrilling adventures of the camj paign against Aguinaldo. The landing party of the Yorktown was captured by I Aguinaldo's men. Some cf them were | wounded and all of them -were taken I prisoners. Then began the famous chase of the insurgents, and their prisoners throughout the length of the island, resulting in the release of the men on the ■ northern extremity of Luzon. The officers and soldiers who went to the rescue of the Yorktown men were popularly known as "The Hare and Hound" expedition, and untold hardships we're endured.' As one of the officers unaer Admiral Walker, Sperry helped to make successful the picturesque. voyage of the £i white squadron" which visited Europe and South America in 1891-93. From the command of the New Orleans on the China station, Admiral Sperry became president of the War College. His next detail was to the last Hague conference, where he went as one of the American delegates. Returning from the Hague, he was given sea duty and assigned-to the command of the fourth division of the Atlantic fleet, in which capacity he has made the trip around the Horn with Admiral Evans.' IMMENSE NAVAL PARADE-.'.* I SAN FRANCISCO, Apr 2-6. Five thousand men will be landed from I the battleship fleet to join in the great ; naval parade in San Francisco. Together with the 5,000 men from.the battleship i fleet will be 2,500 more from the Pacific t fleet, which, with the troops from the 5 Presidio, will make a purely military I parade of over 8,000 men. The men from i the battleship fleet" will be divided intc 5 eighty companies and accompanied bj . five bands. The detachment from "eacl - ship will be preceded by signal flags foui •r feet square bearing the name of-the shi{ in red letters on a white field. It wil make the most imposing naval paradi s which has ever been -witnessed in- thi: ! country. The chief of staff of the Atlaji , tic fleet has also consented to land hal f that number of men for the parade ii j Oakland, which is to take place on Satui o- day.