WELCOMING THE FLEET

Evening Star, Issue 19000, 23 July 1925, Page 5

WELCOMING THE FLEET

PREPARATIONS IN SYDNEY ARRIVAL TO-DAY Prow Association—By Telegraph—Copyrigh: Australian and N.Z. Press Association. SYDNEY, July 22,

The Reception Committee of tho business houses along tho linos of inarch both in Sydney and Melbourne are extremely busy to-day, putting the final touches to tho preparations to welcome their separate fleet sections to-morrow. Tho weather is bright and fine, hut bitterly cold. On the whole, tho decorations are much less extensive and elaborate than previous dressings in honor ofßoyalty—at least so far as Sydney is concerned. Many of tho buildings along tho route march of the 2,000 mem ol the fleet from Woollomoolon Bay through the heart, of Iho city have had their faces washed and received a coat of paint, and the whole lino is _ already gaily fluttering with bunting, conspicuous amongst which is the Stars and Stripes. Tito public and other buildings outside tho routo arc not making much display. Among tho features of tho celebrations will be fireworks displays on the harbor.

Tho social entertainment provided is most extensive, and if the men of the fleet survive all the functions that are outlined for them during their stay they will certainly require several days after departing to regain their proper sea legs. The fact that the fleet on flic day of arrival is to be paid in English money is re.ioicing the hearts of city business people, who are looking forward to reaping a rich harvest without having the trouble of wrestling with coinage and exchange questions on the dollar basis.

There has been a large influx of visitors from the country, and the American sailors are assured of a rousing welcome.

BRITISH NAVY

AND THE AMERICAN FLEET

SHIPS OF THE TWO COUNTRIES COMPARED.

Before very Jong tlie American licet ■will bo visiting A’ow Zealand, and enthusiastic American writers are promising this dominion “ the greatest naval spectacle of all time ” in the Pacific, replete with the “ world’s greatest ships” and surpassing in ingenuity anything Aew Zealand has seen (states an exchange). These statements must bo taken ior what they are worth, as emanating from the country which is known as the greatest advertiser in the world. One hopes, naturally enough, that the visit will bo thoroughly enjoyed by individuals of the many crews, ami as it is essentially h social call we must treat it as such. The visit, of course, is tinged with a desire on the part of the United Stales to proclaim to the world at large, and to New Zealand and Australia ,in particular, the naval might of Cld Glorv. The American licet has already bad considerably more advertising chan did the British Special Service S; uadi on which visited these waters last year. The two principal ships of that squadron will dwarf even the biggest of the American battleships in regard to ah most every detail—size, light, ig capacity, speed, and adapatubihly imPjded Jlef erring to the visitHn a recent issue, the Sydney ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ states that “the giants of the American fleet are the Colorado, Maryland, and West Virginia, heads of the buttle lino, each about 32,600 tons, and the remainder of their first lino of battleships range down to vessels of the Tennessee (California class), which arc just a trifle smaller and less new fighting units of the Pennsylvania and _ Oklahoma classes—all in the vicinity ol 30,000 to 32,000 terns, with load. So far, the figures are impressive, because the stated tonnages compare favorably with the bulk of British naval battleships and cruisers.

“But when one comes to compare subsidiary_ details, the advantage 'is all on the British side. There are, among the British capital ships, live outstanding units complete or nearly complete. The newest are battleships, the .Nelson and Rodney, which are approximately Jo ,000 tons, with a waterline length of 705 ft, as against the (52411 which is the longest length of any of the American ships. The Hood, 41,500 tons empty and 44,(500 tons with full load, is actually 240 ft longer than any ship which accompanies the American licet; of the remainder of tho iormidahle British giants, it is ditliculb to stale the exact displacement, because there has, of late years, been so much replacement and reorganisation ol armor protection that weights have been considerably increased. “The five ships of the .Royal Oak class {50,000 tons) arc ail liable to have been affected by arnior changes; equally the famous Queen Elizabeth class (27,500 tons), all of which are equal to or greater in length than any of the American vessels which are coming. The Repulse and the Bcuown certainly have been ro-armoml. Armor additions to the former—both vessels are 200 ft longer than any ol the Americans—and reorganisation of fighting impedimenta have brought their displacement up to 57,500 tons, which is well above the tonnage ol any American ship. “ But that is not the most salient point in British superiority. Merc size makes only a bigger target. There are two important factors in which lha British Navy excels —the outstanding speed of her largo battlc-cruiscrs and her reserve horse-power, which enables tremendous increases of weight in the provision of more modern protection, without any loss of steaming superiority. Most of the American battleships are engined, if the test books may ho relied upon, to cover their necessities, .it would bo unthinkable for any ship of the American navy to meet newer gunnery requirements with heavier armament, because the added weight would turn her relatively low speed into a tortoise-like pace, which would render her the prey or everything on the sea with speed, and restrict her cruising range to the point of uselessness.

There is not, according to the published records, a 31,000-ton battleship among the Americans which can claim more than 34,000 horse-power, ami many of them carry on £5,000 h.p., and even less, with a performance on their trials of not more than twentyone knots. Contrast this with the Hood, which has 144,000 h.p. (the use of which is rendered possible, by the way, by an Australian invention, the Mitchell thrust block), and which, on her official trials did 32.7 knots hallloaded, 31.89 knots with a full load, end 2d knots—four knots faster than the fastest of the big American ships, with only two-fifth engine power in operation. “ The Renown and Repulse have .10,000 to 120,000 h.p., with test tpeeds of over 31.5 knots, and all three Hood, Renown, and Repulse-are known to have exceeded their original tests in 'special trials, so that the truth is that, even apart from the Queen Elizabeth class of five ships, which compare on pretty equal terms with some of America’s best, and the new Rodney, there are at least three battle-cruisers in the British Navy which can outrun, outweigh, and, in addition, show greater armor protection and considerably greater broadside weight than any of the pick of the United Stales navy. Indeed, even the American medium cruiser class (Omaha typo), of which wo had an examclo in Sydney in 1923.

which was advertised generally as the ‘ world’s fastest and most modern warship,’ has riot tlie slightest chance of outdistancing tho best of the British capital ships. ‘‘ British naval supremacy is quite safe for tho present, on a ship basis, if not strategically, and, oven if one is not justified in saying it in a boastful spirit, pride in tho Empire’s position is quite legitimate.” THE ADMIRAL’S SPEECH. OLD DAYS~IvND NEW. The Cmimuindev-iii-Chio.f has been very pleased with the many messages of welcome 'from Australia and Now Zealand which have been pouring in recently. Private and individual public dignitaries and organised.bodies of various kinds have literally bombarded tho Seattle with radios telling tho fleet that tho people of Australia are awaiting eagerly the day of tho arrival of this group of America’s largest single aggregation from any nation to visit Australia at one lime. Admirals Coontz and Colo, with the members of their. staffs, are daily engaged with a multitude of problems arising from tho impending arrival. The Commandcr-m-Chief commenting upon these problems, grow reminiscent and recalled how the problems of fleet management and life in the navy have changed since ho joined tho service in 1881. A young midshipman in those days was apportioned a pint of water every morning in which to make his toilet, hood was in little variety. Tho introduction of cold storage made possible a varied and excellent faro after long periods at sea. The dinner last night consisted of excellent soup of vegetables and meat, line sugar-cured Virginia ham with spinach, fresh lettuce, tomato salad, lemon ice, and tho far-famed curry. Tho sources of amusement for officers and men have increased in variety ai;d number. lAdmiral Coontz said only six flagships of the American fleet had bands yiars ago. Ho told of tho brave and finally successful attempts to organise bands upon Iris vessel during his youth. Ho. concluded with comment upon the pleasantness of the present cruise and f.he charming prospects awaiting them at their destination. PREPARATIONS IN DUNEDIN COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME ARRANGED The Entertainments Committee, of which Air J. J. Clark is the chairman, has drawn up the following programme of entertainments for the officers and men of the portion of tho American fleet which will visit Dunedin;— Tho fleet is expected to arrive in Dunedin on the morning of Monday, August JO, and the personnel will bo welcomed by the official party. At ‘.I o'clock in the afternoon a civic welcome will be given the visitors at the Octagon Hall. In the evening the visitors will be admitted free to the revue at His Majesty’s, ‘ Hullo, Dunedin.’ This revue will also bo staged on the Tuesday night. On Tuesday flic ladies’ branch of the Navy League will give a dunce in the Early (Settlers’ Hall, and the Jl S.A. Choir will entertain a party of the visitors at their club.

It is hoped to arrange for a inarch of the visitors through the city on the Wednesday. Ju the evening the IPS.A. Choir is giving a concert, and invitations will bo given to the officers and men. The Women’s Club is xo give a dance at the Savoy.

On 'Thursday it is hoped to arrange for tho visitors to give an exhibition of baseball and other sports on the Carisbrook Ground. The Boxing Association is conducting a special Tournament at His Majesty’s Theatre at night, and it is expected that competitors from the vessels will tane part. Tho Homo Science School is giving a dance to the junior officers tho same night. On Friday tho visitors will be motored to some of the country towns— Milton, Waikouaiti, Palmerston, Miudlemarcli, and Mosgicl—where tho men will be entertained by tho residents. Arrangements have been made to cany 51)0 men.

On Saturday a special sports meeting will he run at Porhury Park in conjunction with the dominion crosscountry championship. Erce aamissiou will he given to the visitors to (mishrook, where the animal charity Rugby football match is to be played. Thu Council of Churches is making arrangements for the various church services on the Sunday. .

On Monday it is hoped to arrange a picnic for the officers and men at Wingaini. In the evening the Returned Soldiers’ Association will entertain a number ot the men at a “ smoko.”

On Tuesday and 'Wednesday there will be trots at Porbury Park. The. Ileet will leave Dune Jin on Thursday, August 20. The Y.M.C.A. and thoR.S.A. are giving the full privileges of their rooms to the visitors during their stay in Dunedin. The picture theatre's will give them free admisison in the aitornoon, and arrangements are being made for the men to be also admitted in the evening without charge. livery morning observation cars for 200 men will he placed at the disposal of the pcT.soniiel by the tramways department. The Emil growers’ Associat ion is presenting sufficient apples lor tho use of tho officers and men.

Arrangements have been made for entertaining tho potty officers on three evenings at tho Early Settlers’ Hall. It is probable that railway excursion fares will ho given from the country. in addition to the foregoing entertainments u number of private entertainments are being arranged. It is hoped that tho vessels of the fleet will be opened for inspection by tho school children. Some of the country schools have already_ notified their desire to come to Dunedin to visit tho vessels. Through the courtesy ol the Harbor Beard one of the largo sheds at the wharf will he placed at the disposal of the Entertainment Committee, which will run promenade concerts and dances ovorv night, and also provide refreshments. "The entertainments at tho shed will he controlled by the Y.M.C.A.