AMERICAN CRUISERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13869, 1 October 1908, Page 5

AMERICAN CRUISERS.

, VISIT TO '' SAMOA. FESTIVITIES AT APIA. By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright, Suva,'September-30.' The United States armoured !.- v cruisers Tennessee (the flagship of . Rear-Admiral Uriel Sebree, commander of the second division of the cruiser squadron), which is now visiting the Samoan group, and hei sister ship, the ■■ Washington;; accompanied by two torpedo-boat destroyers, arrived at Apia on Monday week, 21st inst., and ahchored in the roadstead. The visitors, who visited German Samoa at the invitation of the German Government, were warmly welcomed and heartily entertained by the residents. N . ~,', •On Monday morning • the Adnnralfimd his staff visited the Acting-Governor (Dr. Schultze), and their visit was returned by His Excellency. In the afternoon a series of festivities was held at Mulinuu, the natives entertaining the visitors in ancient style. After this, a "beer evening" was held at the Tivoli Hotel, the Admiral, and his officers being then the guests of the Governor, at Vailima. . On Tuesday a race meeting was ; held, followed by native feasts and dances, a ball taking place in the evening at the Central Hotel. . Early on Wednesday morning the warships took their departure for Pago Pago, where they rejoin the other ships of'the squadron. . ; ,-Two of the fleet colliers, the Strathyre and the Strathcona, are overdue. : • : The squadron was tuned to leave the Samoan group on Sunday last, 27th inet., and will , return vie Honolulu to San . Francisco, where it is due on. December 4. The supply ship Solace left Suva on the 24th inst., for Pago Pago, but is expected to return here to take the passengers by. the Aeon—the Rev. Patrick, his wife, children, and; ■servant's, and Mrs. Riddle, wife of Lieutenant Riddle—to Pago: Pago, where Mr. Patrick is tc*, act as chapialni, on their arrival here by the Manuka.

The squadron which visited Samoa consisted of eight of the biggest and fastest armoured cruisers of the American'fleetTennessee,. Washington/ 14,500 tons, and West Virginia, Colorado J Maryland, Pennsylvania;- California, and South"; Dakota. 13,400 -besides the torpedo division of the Pacific fleet. Only two of -.■-' the cruisers and two destroyers visited Apia. the remainder proceeding to the United States naval station at Pago Pago. . Referring to the cruise, the San Francisco j Chronicle says:—" will -be the first/ time so big - fleet •of armoured cruisers will hay© taken a voyage of. such length. There will be continuous drill, battle manoeuvres, and tactics. Admiral Swinburne will indulge in extensive battle prac; tice at Honolulu or Samoa."