THE AMERICAN CRUISERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13875, 8 October 1908, Page 6

THE AMERICAN CRUISERS

VISIT TO GERMAN SAM OA.

ENTERTAINMENTS AT APIA. / ' V " [from our own correspondent.]

Apia, September 28. Some time ago Acting-Governor Schultz received official information that two of the United States cruisers and two destroyers would visit this port, ai'riving here about September 20. . Steps were at once taken to get up 'some sort of a. suitable entertainment, and it was wonderful to note the • activity of* the small community on Apia. About 100 persons were able to contribute, and their offerings in money amounted to about £225, besides large contributions of fruit, etc. True to time, the magnificent cruisers steamed in to their anchorage off this port on the 20th, and before noon all were riding easily with numerous steam launches in the water, the destroyers anchoring well in towards shore. There were about 2100 officers and men to be entertained ] by the residents, assisted by the natives. I The flagship Tennessee (Rear-Admiral Uriel Sebree) was slightly in advance of the I Washington, and the destroyers Whipple and Hopkins brought up the rear. The ; four boats for Apia parted company with the main fleet at sea, at six o'clock on Sunday morning, and came on to Apia direct. The main fleet went on t Pago Pago. Almost every house in Apia had been festooned and decorated, the Courthouse and the Tivoli Hotel being specially noticeable, and a bandstand, constructed of bamboos, thatch, * etc., was conveniently placed. On Monday morning the reception committee Messrs. Haaben, Moors and Berking—visited the flagship and officially welcomed the fleet in the name .of the people of Samoa. Official visits were exchanged between the admiral of the fleet, Rear-Admiral Sebree, arid the Acting-Go-venor, Dr. Schultz,. am* in the evening the Governor gave a dinner at " Vailima''. in honor of the officers of the fleet. A great talolo and feast was given at J Mulinuu on the 21st for officers and men, and a smoke concert and good-fellowship meeting was held at- the Tivoli that evening. On. the 21st the Sports Club held their usual meeting, and races were the order of the day, while in the evening a grand ball took place at the Central Hotel, the sailors being entertained at a native feast in Apia, where the table was some 700 ft in length. 1 The splendid band from the Washington entertained the townsfolk during, the first evening, and the Tennessee's band played dance music for the ball. During the evenings the cruisers were illuminated, ? fringe of electric light alow and aloft outlining the vessels, whilst j eight searchlights were constantly kept J playing over the waters and on shore. • i On the morning of the 23rd ' the cruisers and destroyers left for Pago Pago, the whole fleet leaving that port yesterday.