THE FLYING SQUADRON

Evening Star, Issue 18628, 8 May 1924, Page 9

THE FLYING SQUADRON

EVENTS OS 1 EARLY DAYS. The visit of tho Special Service Squadron has recalled vividly to tho minds of pioneer citizens one of tho most notable events in tho early history of Auckland, the visit of tho Flying Squadron in February, 1870 (says tho 'Herald'). Tho squadron, under tho command of Hoar-Admiral Hornby, consisted of tho flagship Liverpool, a frigate, which carried 515 officers and men and thirty guns; the Liffoy, first of H.M. men-o'-war built as a steamer; the frigates Scylla, Phoebe, and Fndymimi, and tho Barrosa, a beautiful corvette, sister ship to tho Orpheus, wrecked some years previously on tho Manukau bar. Fitted out for a cruise of sixteen months, the squadron carried a total of 2,550 men, and visited all tho distant naval stations of tho Empire, taking with it over 300 officci'B and mun for distribution among tho latter.

Old residents of Auckland who still remember the arrival of the squadron, say the spectacle was one of never-to-be forgotten thrill and beauty. The ships were duo to arrive on February 2, and in anticipations of this the Anniversary regatta, which was to have been held live days previously, was postponed in order that the two events might bo celebrated on the same clay. February 2 was one of those typical regatta days which Auckland knows so well—a day of broken sky, of Hying clouds and bursts of sunshine, of sudden wind squalls which whipped the foam from the blue waves, and sent the white wings heeling over amid a smother of crystal spray. Large crowds assembled on the Queen street wharf, on the Symonds ridge opposite the old windmill, and upon Fort Britomart, an ideal vantage ground for sightseers of the early days. in the early part of the afternoon a great show of colors upon .Mount Victoria roused excitement to a high pilch, and when the leading vessel showed herself round North Head, about 3 o’clock, closely followed by the entire squadron under full sail, the scene was one of magnificent and stately beauty such as t»fio present generation has never been privileged to witness. “ Slowly, and with exquisite grace, the warships stood up the harbor under topsails, in close order of sailing,” writes an eye-witness of this splendid spectacle, ‘‘"whilst among them and around them, like a small lleefc of mosquitoes, bustled our little fleet of racing vessels, bending under their array of canvas, and leaving boiling wakes upon tho curling waves. The entire harbor was a brilliant pageant of life and animation, and when the eye fell upon the flag-decked vessels standing at the wharf, and in stream, crowded aloft and alow with spectators, and tho multitudes that lined tho shore, the expression fell from many, ‘ .Never before have wo had a regatta such as this!’ A truly magnificent sight it was, stirring the blood in one’s veins, and for the moment making one glory in belonging to a country which could turn out j such noble specimens of naval architecture,” Shortly after rounding North Head the ships stowed all spare canvas and took up their berths in stream. On the squadron flagship dropping her anchor, the regatta flagship—the City of Auckland—fired eleven guns, and then tho 21-pouiidcrs of Fort Britomart, manned by the Auckland Naval Artillery Volunteers, thundered forth the customary salute. The squadron remained at Auckland for a week, during- which time 6,000 Aucklanders paid visits of, inspection to the various ships. A number of entertainments were arranged in honor of tne visitors, including uu “ at home ” given at (Jovcniment House by Lady Bowen, a, citizens’ ball, and a ball given by tho Freemasons to their brethren of the squadron. A ball was also given by the admiral on board the flagship. Early in tho afternoon of February 10 the firing of a gun from Fort Britomart announced that tho time for the departure of tho squadron had arrived. Every point of vantage from which a view of the harbor could bo obtained was crowded; and the sight of the stately ships, with all tho yards manned, .setting forth to sea once more, was' one to thrill the soul of those to whom England was .still very nearly and dearly “ Home,” a spectacle, in tho words of uu early writer, “ such as comes but once in a century to the exile from Old England.” , . Tho visitors apparently enjoyed their brief stay-in Auckland very greatly, some, indeed, found it so hard to say good-byo that the squadron sailed on its waj mums some eighty hands.