AMERICAN FLEET

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 18 July 1925, Page 7

AMERICAN FLEET

JOURNEY’S END AWAITED GAY TIMES ANTICIPATED tßj Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Au.tru'. & N'.Z. Cable Association.) (By radio from special representative Australian Press Association aboard the battleshin Seattle). Friday July It The Fleet has reached an important stage of its journey. Me are near enough to Melbourne and Sydney to begin to feel the days drag. In the wardrooms, in the junior out cels mess rooms, and in the sailors quar It re, talk drifts more ami more to what awaits them at the journey's end. Card games languish and discussions begin ee.neermiig sottteesi ot amusement in Australian cities. ihe junior oiiieeis particularly centre their attention upon plans for gay times and the eternal question comes "Is there real night life in Melbourne it ml Sydney/

Someone spread tho rumour that Melbourne gets quiet around midnight and this caused much doubt, until it was pointed out that during the fleet® slay in both Melbourne and Sydney, there is little likelihood of anybody going to bed earlv. This reassured many youthful souls. Tile officers' enjoyment ashore will he governed to a great extent, bv ihe extent of comfortable and iuexpendvo hotel quarters. Ihe ships position to-day is 21121 smith, 171.33 east 1505 miles from I’m I Philip. SEATTLE'S BIRTHDAY (By radio from Battleship Seattle — Special Representative of the Australian Press Association). Friday, duly 17 On Jttlv 30th the Seattle will celebrate her nineteenth birthday, being the oldest vessel m the licet, with ;> most interesting career. The blue jackets call her the mother of the fleet, and her personnel. under the stimulus of executive officer commander Charles Crosse, have begun to take new pride in her age and staunchness and the romance and surroundings of her life. The birthday, which will be celebrated at Melbourne, marks the day of her preliminary tteeep tillin' from the builders. She has been freshly painted in honour of the event. Captain' lxempft point'? to other vessels of tile fleet as the Seattle's daughters. Site was launched as? the old Washington, but the mime later was changed, and after distinctive service she was recommissioned, but recommissioned in 1922 as the fieet. flagship. She is one of the most, spic and span vessels in the fleet despite her many years. FLEET TO BE BOYCOTTED SYDNEY. This Day. The Trades and Labour Council decided to boycott the American fleet on its visit to Sydney. \Y.EL 1J NO TON A R RANG EAI ENTS (United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Two of tho American battleships will be berthed at the new wharf where the Hood lay. and some of the smaller vessels will bo tied up to the adjoining breastwork. Sports for the men will be confined to baseball, basket ball and boxing, in .be form of tournaments, ship against shipTiie Town Hall will be used for dancing every night. One of the big sheds on the waterfront will be fitted up for the reception of a thousand men per night who have shore leave. Another building near the wharves will be iittcvl as a. club and In tinge room.