AMERICAN FLEET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 24 August 1925, Page 5

AMERICAN FLEET.

FORTY VESSELS OF WAR

IN WELLINGTON HARBOUR

Cby telegraph.—PßESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON; Aug. 23. An imposing spectacle of line after line of grey battleship squadrons, with the destroyers from Dunedin and Lyttelton, was presented in the harbour on Saturday. There were also the light cruisers. From the Pipitea wharf, where the flagship Seattle and the battleships, Pennsylvania and Richmond lay, to Eastbourne, on the eastern side of the harbour, over foity handsome vessels of the United States navy rode at anchor. - Their presence did not in the least incommode the ordinary ferry and steamer traffic of the harbour.’ The ships lay in semi-circular formation towards the Petone side of the harbour, so that the fairway was quite clear. Another fifty vessels could have been accommodated without interfering with the passage of vessels. All day launches shot to and from the . vessels and the wharves, while thousands of bluejackets and marines landed in the ships’ launches. Thousands of civilians made the journey to the vessels. - The light cruisers and destroyers in turn nestled up to the mother ships, received supplies, andi then went astern and took up their position in line. It was all done so expeditiously, affording ample testimony of the efficiency of the visiting naval men in this respect. During the. afternoon, the harbour presented a unique spectacle with nearly half a hundred grim, grey vessels riding peacefully at anchor. The city wliaYves were crowded with battleships and Home and foreign steamers, while the surface of the water was churned into foam by dozens cf motor launches scurrying to and fro. There was a niost impressive searchlight display in the evening. The admirals’ ball was a great social success. This morning Admiral Coontz, onbehalf of the fleet, presented to the Premier (Hon. J. G. Coates) to present to the Arawa Maoris, a; little silver vessel. The Premier received it with pleasure, and spoke of the level footing on which the Maoris had been placed bv the New Zealand' Government. Admiral Coontz said the present was a token of appreciation of the hospitality extended at Rotorua. The kindness of the Maoris he would always remember. Lieutenant Keepa Ehau, a member of the Arawa tribe, who was wounded in the Great War, said a few words and expressed .appreciation of the gift.