THE DESTROYER UNIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 188, 11 August 1925, Page 8

THE DESTROYER UNIT.

AMERICANS IN DUNEDIN.

YOUNG WELL-BEHAVED LOT,

MADE A GOOD IMPRESSION.

FINE TIME IN AUSTRALIA

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") DUXEDIN", Monday. The American sailors enjoyed sunshine this afternoon, and spent most of their time in and around the city. They are a young, well-behaved lot, and should become very-popular during their stay here. They have made a good impression already, and are delighted with the weather and the beauties of Dunedin. One of them remarked "we want sunshine." He said they had had a. comparatively fine passage over, but the weather had been dull. In Australia they had had a "real fine" time, and were looking forward to seeing New Zealand Captain J. B. Gray, an unassuming officer, with not the slightest suggestion of any of those mannerisms which no doubt many New Zealanders expect to find in an American, gave a "Star" reporter some particulars of the warship Melville, of which he is in command.'The ship, he said, might prove disappointing to those who imagined it would be bristling with guns. It was, in fact, a tender, its function being to provide provisions for the nineteen destroyers which formed this destroyer unit. It was also fitted out with repair shops, all work for the unit being carried out here. "This place reminds mc very much of Queen stown," he ventured in answer to a query. "I commanded a destroyer during the war, and our headquarters was Queenstown. I guess I know a good part of the English and Irish Coasts off by heart as the result of that little experience. I hope our men behave themselves, as I think they will. There was no cause for complaints in Melbourne, though I am afraid some of them liked Australia a Jittlo too well." First Sight of the Fleet* A special, despatched to the "Star," states: "The unexpected news that the destroyer flotilla would pass BlufF about 4 p.m. was rapidly broadcasted among residents yesterday afternoon, with the immediate result chat various points of vantage on Ward's Parade, Ocean Beach, and the .signal station at Bluff Hill were the hurried destinations of one and all. The spectacle of twenty-seven destroyers, headed by the light cruiser Omaha, passing in two uninterrupted lines, between Stewart Island and the mainland at a distance three miles from the latter, is one not likely to be forgotten by those fortunate enough to witness it. By 3 p.m., from BlulF Hill, the approaching vessels could be seen close to the horizoii,i mere grey blotches, gradually giving shape to separate craft. As the intervening space lessened the spectators could appreciate the organised formation adhered to, the cruiser Omaha, with two attendant destroyers, was in the lead. On her left were thirteen of the smaller craft, and these were balanced by twelve more on her right—a total of twentyeight vessels. This formation was slightly altered by a well organised movement, prior to passing Bluff Point, the whole fleet converging into two separate lines. The flotilla headed east, passing between Kuapuke and Dog Islands, and gradually disappeared into the dusk till only several distant clouds of smoke* told of the presence of the largest fleet that had ever negotiated Foveaux Strait."