HOMEWARD BOUND.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 199, 24 August 1925, Page 8

HOMEWARD BOUND.

FLEET LEAVES WELLINGTON. THUNDER, HAH. AND RAIN. SIGHTSEERS' THOROUGHLY SOAKED. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. The departure from Wellington of 40 vessels of the United States lost much of its impressiveness owing to the dullness of the weather. At 10 oclock precisely the ships began to move, tlie destroyers circling into formation, and taking the lead past Point Halswell. Fierce rain and showers of hail obscured the ships from the view of thousands of the public who had taken up position on the hill tops and the roofs of Parliament and other buildings. Four intrepid airmen up in seaplanes vanished in a curtain of rain. Many sightseers were thoroughly soaked by the rainfall, and heavy peals of thunder following on wind and rain completed a gloomy departure. A Press Association telegram says: "The sun shone for a little while, but then heavy clouds came up, and rain fell. Despite wet and cold hundreds of sightseers were on the waterfront and hills. The sight was a very impressive one, first, four aeroplanes circled over the city and harbour, then the light crusiers began to mov y e, followed by the destroyers, the Seattle and other battleships bringing up the rear. It took the better part of an hour before the last vessel passed the heads. Then the armada formed into proper naval formation and proceeded on its way. Many people, despite unfavourable climatic condition, watched it out of sight. Ferry boats, crowded, followed the vessels in the hands."