SHIPS AT WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19094, 12 August 1925, Page 16

SHIPS AT WELLINGTON.

TEN VESSELS ARRIVE.

A FINE SIGHT PRESENTED.

CROWDS LINE WATERFRONT

DISPLAY BY SEAPLANES. (BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday Ten ships of the United States Fleet arrived in Wellington to-day undor the command of Admiral Coontz. The visit could not have been better timed from a meteorological standpoint. Tho weekend had been particularly wintry, and yesterday was cold and squally, but today broke clear. As the morning advanced the rity assumed a holiday air. The buildings displayed a good deal of bunting, and people congregated at all points of vantage round tho harbour.

The squadron presented a fine spectacle as it came up across Cbok Strait and made for the harbour entrance. The ships in harbour wore dressed with bunting. For a space of two or three hours from about 10 o'clock business was largely suspended everywhere, so that most people had an opportunity of seeing in movement the lagest collection of war craft that has yet visited this port. It was a brave sight, the memory of which will live long. As the time approached for the squadron's arrival, harbour steamers, all thronged with sightseers, went down to the heads. Launches and yachts also carried their quotas to welcome tho visitors. Seaplanes Lead the Way.

Tho squadron showed over the horizon at about 10 o'clock, smudges of smoke marking the line of ships. A little later six seaplanes swept in, having been catapulted from their parent ships about ten miles out.

As the flotilla of harbour ships were approaching Point tiaisweli, whue the late Prime Minister's last resting-place commands a view of all who venture in through the city's portals, these planes came sajling overhead, glinting in the sunlight. They swept on, changing formation fiequently, circling over city and haibour, and then returning seaward again as the warships came thiougb the heads. They entered promptly at 11.30 a.m., according to schedule. First came the battleship Seattle, bearing Admiral Coontz's flag, then the Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Nevada, followed by the hospital ship Relief. Then the light cruiser division steamed in, the Richmond (leading), Marblehead, Memphis and Tienton. The supply ship Medusa was with this division. Exchange of Courtesies.

Although something like a swell came in at the heads, a legacy of the southerly storm so lately in evidence, causing the crowded ferry steamers to curtsey to the waves, the big war craft moved along steadily as if on the waters of a lake. As they passed in a large steamer went out and there was the usual interchange of courtesies. As the fleet came abreast of the forts the interchanges were repeated, and again as the warships passed the waiting crowded steamers the same ceremony was observed. The ships' bands played mar tial tunes and the people, especially the school children on tho steamer Duchess, cheered the visitors.

Bright sunshine flooded the harbour, but a light northerly from the snow on the hills made the air keen.

Steadily the line moved up the harbour, round Point Jerningham and into the stream. Thousands of people lined the point and the shores of Oriental Bay, while all the high buildings seemed suddenly to have grown masses of gesticulating, cheering figures upon them. The seaplanes still circled above or moved along in ordered formations, only to break into eccentric movements again, while one treated the crowds to some wonderful "stunting" work. Berthing Operations.

At one o'clock all the squadron were in the stream. Then the Seattle berthed on tho outer side of the Pipitea Wharf, alongside tho exhibition building. At the samo time, the laigest battleship, the Pennsylvania, berthed on tho inner side. Later in the afternoon the light cruiser Richmond was brought in and moored ahead of the Seattle.

Great crowds of peoplo watched the mooring, which was carried out expeditiously and without fuss or hitch of any kind. The afternoon was filled in with official calls. A guard of honour was furnished by the 15th Battery, with the Artillery Band. The first call was made by Commodore Beale, representing the Royal Navy in New Zealand, after which Admiral Coontz visited tho Governor-Gen-eral, the Prime Minister, and members of tho Cabinet. Later tho Governor-General visited Admiral Coontz aboard the Seattle, after which tho Harbour Board and City Council made formal calls on tho admiral.

THE VISITORS IN DUNEDIN.

WELL - BEHAVED SAILORS. CIVIC RECEPTION TO ADMIRAL. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] DUNEDIN. Tuesday. Most of tho American sailors on leave seem to bo spending their time in walking up and down the main streets. They do not seem to caro about taxi-riding nor are they given to gazing at tho shop windows. A ride on tho trams to the suburbs is apparently more to their taste. Their street manners are undeniably good and tho shore patrolmen, who are accommodated with a room at the police station, are having a quiet time. A civic reception was tondered tho admiral and his officers this afternoon. A dance was held in the Early Settlers' Hall in tho evening, and the Returned Soldiers' Association entertained 175 men. [n addition men of the floet were admitted freo to "Hulloa, Dunedin," a local play staged at the Young Men's Christian Association.