THE AMERICAN FLEET

Otago Witness, Issue 3724, 28 July 1925, Page 23

THE AMERICAN FLEET

WOERAKIS EXPERIENCE. SYDNEY, July 22. The Moeraki, en route from New Zealand, had the unique experience of passing through the American fleet. The sea was like glass, and early in the morning the advance guard of the fleet was lighted Gradually all the .ships of war came into sight. As soon as the fleet was observed the captain of the Moeraki ordered all the passengers t-o be aroused, and the decks were soon lined with an admiring throng. Gradually the paths of the fleet and the Moeraki converged, and the captain of the Union Company s vessel altered her course so as not to break the fleet’s formation. The Moeraki passed between the battleships and the flagsliip Seattle. She was steaming between 12 and 13 knots an hour, the fleet doing a little less. It- seemed hardly to move Shortly the fleet was riding the horizon, then the vessels disappeared one by one. It was a memorable sight, that will never be forgotten by the passengers. ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, July 23. The American fleet made its entry to Port Jackson under the most tavourable weather conditions. The famed harbour appeared at its best under clear skies and bright sunshine. The only drawback was a shrewd winter wind, which chilled the spectators during their lengthy vigil. By 9 oclock Sydney was practically a deserted city. From early morning me populace had been pouring afoot and in all kinds of vehicles to the harbour ioresnores and every point of vantage, i' ruin Botany Bay round to South Head there was a black fringe of humanity. The harbour everywhere was alive with craft, ranging Horn large steamers to countless rowing boats, ali gaily decorated. Watchers from the coast cliffs secured a spiendid view of tne fleet as it steamed up the coast in a stately line, clearly oatlined ih the bright sunshine against the dark blue ocean, then it slowly swung round so that the ships followed each other through the Heads. Admiral Robinson's flagship California led the procession of eignt visiting warships—the West Virginia, the Colorado, the Tennessee, the .Maryland, the New Mexico, the Idaho, the Mississippi and the hospital ship Relief. The first sight of the California’s nose inside the harbour was the signal for a mighty outburst of cheering, ckadoodling and flag-waving, which was maintained until the great ships swung gracefully to their anchorages in two lines on the Kirribilli Point and Rose Bay sides of the harbour. The steamers conveying the Ministry and State guests met the fleet at the heads and accompanied the procession, a combined squadron of American and Australian airships manoeuvring overhead. The California’s guns thundered a salute in reply to the greeting, and later when the American admirals landed the compliment was returned, and the citv again reverberated with the sounds of a salute of IT guns. The rest of the forenoon and the early afternoon were spent in making official calls. The crowds meantime drifted bad to the city and massed themselves along the brilliantly decorated route of march for 2000 of Uncle Sam’s men. Though the chief decorations were centred along the route the flags were flying everywhere. The town was in gala garb and full of visitors, taking advantage of the public holiday. VISITORS’ PROMPT AND EFFECTIVE AID MELBOURNE, July 2b. The liveliest remembrance of the maren of 2000 Americans through the city on Friday is the prompt and effective aid rendered in rescuing wounded and preventing a stampede when the verandah collapsed. 'Ttiis action has won for the visitors warm places in the hearts of Victorians. The procession was held up for 40 minutes till the wounded had been removed and the line of march cleared from the invading crowds. During the long, cold wait both the seamen and the apectators showed commendable reserve and patience. After the accident Admiral Coontz sent the Lord Mayor the fleet’s sympathy the injured, adding: “If anything wn be done to assist consider us all at your immediate service.” The police in both Sydney and Melbourne have received numerous complaints that the visiting sailors are being taken down bv sharpers, some of large sums. They advised them to leave their money, beyond tneir actual requirements, in a safe place. OFFICIAL DINNER IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY, July 24. The speeches at last night’s official dinner to the visiting American admiral and officers were chiefly of a mutually complimentary character. MEN ENJOY SHORE LEAVE. SYDNEY, July 24. In fine weather 1000 of the personnel of the American fleet are to-daj enjoying a taste of shore leave. The streets are everywhere enlivened by groups of dark-blue uniformed sailormen with white caps, and by a sprinkling of marines, who are distinguished by their light-blue nether garments under dark jumpers. All are usy shopping, discussing' the goods in the shop-windows, and sightseeing. Altogether they are a fraternal crowd, readily conversing with people in the streets and freely expressing their opinions on things Australian. These opinions are mostly complimentary. A fair number are taking advantage of being outside the bounds of a dry regime, and are finding their way to the hotels. On the whole the visitors display less

uniformity of stature, are thinner .in flank, and not so well set up, and are decidedly of a more mixed nationality than the personnel of the British navy. Three parties totalling 700 strong left on picnic excursions which will be continued daily. Over 6000 men of the American fleet 6pent a long day making themselves acquainted with the city and enriching the shopkeepers, freely spending their money. The functions to-dav and to-night included a further exchange of official calls, a parliamentary reception to the admirals and officers by the English-Speaking Union, the Lord Mayor’s smoke concert to the warrant officers and a dance at Government House. MESSAGE I ROM PRESIDENT COO LI DOE. NEW YORK, July 23. Mr Coolidge has issued the following official statement: “Welcome accorded t-o the American fleet on its arrival in Australian waters by the Government and people of the commonwealth is most gratifying. My hope is that the visit of the American fleet to the far Pacific will emphasise the cordial relations which now exist between the United States and the other nations of the world.” THE PROGRAMME OF ENTERTAIN MENT. SYDNEY, July 24. The American Jack ashore failed to impress the Sydneyites favourably. Perhaps this was due to the acts of a small minority, but there were many regrettable brawls and cases of drunkenness on the first free day that the visitors experienced. THE PROCESSION JOSTLED. MELBOURNE, July 25. Despite the fact that the procession of sailors and marines was not due to start till half-past 12 thousands- of spectators had taken up their positions in the .main streets by 9 o'clock, and the late-comers were hardly able to obtain a glance at the marching tars. Even the guests of the commonwealth at the saluting base were in their positions a good two hours before the procession was due to pass. Before the final sections had got level with the Governor-General (Lord Forster) the crowds had jostled their way through, and the last unit had to struggle to keep even a semblance of formation. Some people actually got between the ranks of the bandsmen. Official calls were made by Admiral Coontz on the Prime Minister, the State Premier, and other officials, uho returned the calls on the Seattle later in the afternoon. In the evening the senior officers of the fleet were entertained at dinner by the Governor. THE OBJECT OF CRUISE. MELBOURNE, July 25. Mr James V M‘Clintick, a member of the United States Congress, who is a jxtssenger aboard the Oklahoma, states: “This visit is not a demonstration of the naval power of the United .'States, and it is wrong to allege that against us.’ ne deprecated any suggestion that the cruise was intended as a demonstration of the power of his country in the iacinc. even as an indication that she was seeking to establish naval pre-eminence, lie wao emphatic in the opinion that the only object of the cruise was to increase the general efficiency of the men, particularly in the direction of giving them experience of long cruises away from the bases. SYDNEY HARBOUR SPECTACLE. SYDNEY, July 25. The chief feature of yesterday’s fleet celebrations was the Venetian carni\o.. At night the harbour presented a magnificent spectacle, lit up by searchlights from the warships. A splendid display of fireworks followed. Immense crowds gathered on the foreshores and all commanding positions in city and suburbs. COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS’ SYDNEY, July 26. The only Serious engagements for the Americans yesterday w as the Commercial Travellers’ Association banquet in the evening at which the chief guest was Admiral Robison, who was detained by other duties and arrived late. Three times the band was misled by false reports of his entry and struck up the “Star Spangled Banner” before ho actually arrived. HOTELS FREELY PATRONISED. SYDNEY, Julv 26. During Saturday big batches of American officers and men found their way to the Randwick races and other sports. Hundreds roamed the streets and at nighttime invaded the city. Thousands crowded the theatres and picture shows, helped by a big influx of people who had come to view the fireworks display. Strong patrols from the warships, who make short work of any recalcitrants, had a busy time clearing up stragglers. A considerable number of the visitors are taking full advantage of the open hotels. Strong appeals are appearing in the press urging stricter measures on the part of both local and fleet authorities to protect the array oi youthful visitors against themselves and those taking advantage of tlieir weakness. CITY GAY WITH SEARCHLIGHTS. MELBOURNE, July 26. The city lit up bv searchlights was gay last night, and tne streets everywhere were thronged and theatres crowded, including a big sprinkling of Americans, who were enjoying shore leave thousands strong. Many were being entertained by residents at parties and other functions in their honour. A special race meeting proved one of the day's attractions. During the late hours of Friday night and early on Saturday morning tne taxi drivers and pie-cart men reaped a rich harvest from hundreds of hungry, be-

nighted sailormen who had lost their bearings in the dense fog. It was well into tne forenoon before many recoveied their sailing directions. MELBOURNE .UNDER FOG. MELBOURNE. July 25. Dense fog descended on the city last night and “bushed” many of the American sailors who were wandering in the city. Many found beds at the Y.M.C.A. hostel. Others found lodgings, but many spent the night in the streets. Boats sent from the warships were unable to locate the pier, thus stranding many units who otherwise would have been comfortably bedded aboard. A QUIET SUNDAY. SYDNEY, July 26. There were no official fleet engagements in either Sydney or Melbourne to-day. Religious organisations and the churches combined in looking after the men’s moral interest, making them feel at home. Specially attractive services were held in many churches, the Americans being present in goodly numbers. The streets and holiday resorts of the two cities disclose a good sprinkling of visitors, and thus early in their stay they have managed to pick up lady consorts. DUNEDIN’S PROGRAMME. The Entertainments Committee, of which Cr ,T. J. Clark is chairman, has drawn up the following programme of entertainments for the officers and men of the quota of the American Fleet which is to visit Dunedin. The lleet is expected to arrive in Dunedin on the morning of Monday, August 30, and the personnel will be welcomed by the official party. At 4 o’clock In the afternoon a civic welcome will be given the visitors at the Octagon Hall. In the evening the visitors will be admitted free to the revue at His Majesty’s. “Ilullo, Dunedin.” This revue will also be staged on the Tuesday night. On Tuesday the ladies’ branch of the Navy League will give a dance in the Early Settlers’ Hall, and the R.S.A. Choir will entertain a party of the visitors at their club. It is hoped to arrange for a march of the visitors through the city on the Wednesday. In the evening the R.S.A. Choir is giving a concert, and invitations will be given to the officers and men. The Women’s Club is to give a dance at the Savoy. On Thursday it is hoped to arrange for the visitors to give an exhibition of baseball and other sports on the Carisbrook Ground. The Boxing Association is conducting a special tournament at His Majesty’s Theatre at night, and it is expected that competitors from the vessels will take part. The Home Science School is giving a dance to the junior officers the same night. On Friday the visitors will be motored to some of the country towns —Milton, Waikouaiti, Palmerston, Middlemarch, and Mosgiel—where the men wiil be entertained by the residents. Arrangements have been made to carry 500 men. On Saturday a special sports meeting will be run at Forbury Park in conjunction with the Dominion Cross-Country Championship. Free admission will be given to the visitors to Carisbrook, where the annual Charity Rugby football match is to be played. The Council of Churches is making arrangements for the various church services on the Sunday. On Monday it is hoped to arrange a picnic for the officers and men at Wingatui. In the evening the Returned Soldiers’ Association will entertain a number of the men at a “smoko.” On Tuesday and Wednesday there will be trots at Forbury Park. The fleet will leave Dunedin on Thursday, August 20. The Y.M.C.A. and the R.S.A. are giving .he full privileges of their rooms to the visitors during their stay in Dunedin. The picture theatres will give them free admission in the afternoons, and arrangements are being made f*>r the men to be also admitted in the evenings without charge. Every morning observation cars for 200 men will be placed at the disposal of the personnel by the Tramways Department. The Fruitgrowers’ Association is presenting sufficient apples for the use of the officers and men. Arrangements have been made for entertaining the petty oflicers on three evenings at the Early Settlers’ Hall. It is probable that railway excursion fares will be given from the country. In addition to the foregoing entertainments a number of private entertainments are being arranged. It is hoped that the vessels of the fleet will be opened for inspection by the school children. Some of the country schools have already notified their desire to come to Dunedin to visit the vessels. Through the courtesy of the Harbour Board one of the large sheds at the wharf will be placed at the disposal of the Entertainment Committee, which will run promenade concerts and dances every night, and also provide refreshments. The entertainments at the shed will be controlled by the Y.M.C.A.