U.S. FLEET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 23 July 1925, Page 9

U.S. FLEET.

ARRIVES AT SYDNEY. A GAY SCENE. WATCHERS ON THE SHORE. BY CABLE—CHESS ASSOCIATION—COPYEIGB.IV Reeeievd July 23, 2.15 p.m. SYDNEY, only 23. The American fleet macie its entry into Port Jackson under the most favourable weather conditions. The famed harbour appeared at- it.s best under clear skies and bright sunshine. The only drawback was the keen winter wind, which chilled the spectators during their lengthy vigil. Bv nine o’clock Sydney was practically a deserted city. From early morning the populace had been pouring afoot and in all kinds of vehicles to the harbour foreshores and every point of vantage from Botany Bay round to South Head showed a. black fringe of humanity. Everywhere the harbour was alive with craft, ranging from big steamers to countless rowing boats, a'lil gaily decorated. Watchers from the coast cliff secured a splendid view of the fleet as it steamed up the coast ini stately line, clearly outlined in the bright sunshine against the dark blue ocean. Then it slowly swung round so that ships followed each other through the Heads.

BIG SHIPS ARRIVE. HEARTILY GREETED. (Received July 23, 1.25 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 23. Admiral Robison’s flagship, the California, led the procession of eight visiting warships, West Virginia, Colorado, Tennessee, Maryland, New Mexico, Idaho, Mississippi, and the hospital ship Relief. The first sight of the California’s nose inside the harbour was the signal for a mighty outbreak of cheering, cockbodling and flag waving, which was maintained until the great ships swung gracefully to the anchorage in two lines on Kirribilli Point and Rose Bay sides of the harbour. The steamers conveying the Ministry and State guests met the fleet at the heads, and accompanied the procession. The combined squadron of American and Australian airships manoeuvred overhead. The California’s guns thundered a salute in reply to the greetings and later, when the American admiral’s compliment was returned, . the city again reverberated with the sound, of a salute of 17 guns. The rest of the forenoon and early afternoon was spent in making official calls. The crowds in the meantime drifted back to the city and massed themselves along a brilliantly bnntinged route for the march of 2000 of Uncle Sam’s men through the city. Though the chief decorations were centred along the route, flags were flying everywhere. The town was in gala garb and. full of visitors taking advantage of the public holiday. The street hunting and other decorations will not show at their best owing to the rain which fell yesterday. THE MELBOURNE DIVISION.

The Melbourne section of the fleet consists of Admiral Coontz’s flagship, the Seattle, the Pennsylvania, Nevada, Oklahoma, Richmond, Marb',3 Head, Trenton, Memphis, Melville and a number of smaller vessels.

A wireless from the Seattle last night stated that the fleet is kicking its way to Melbourne through stormy weather and rough sea. As a result of this the vessels, on which great preparations had been made for the landing, will not, on arrival, be as spick and span as , the crews would like them to have been.