THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 217, 7 September 1908, Page 2

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

FAREWELL AMEX [TIES. .Melbourne, September 5, At a furewvll luncbcua to the officer* of the lleet, the Federal Premier (Mr. A. Deukin) paid a tribute to the behaviour of Uic men of the fleet. He invited those who, when tlhey ieturntd, fouad America, not wide enoujJi or full enough oi opportunities, to come back to Australia. Admiral Sperry, ia a farewell nies•sage to Victoria, gays: "Everywhere we luive met with a welcome that has gladdened our stay and drawn tho 'bonds of friendship still closer." In a baseball iiiim-h ail American fleet team defeated the representatives of Australia by 17 .to 1.

■STEAMER COLLIDES WITH A COLLIER. Melbourne, September 5. A collision occurred in the harbor between tihe excursion steamer Lcura, which was making an excursion round the licet, and the American collier Ajax, outward bound. There- were over a hundred passengers on board tile Loura. Tho collier cut deep into the Leura's starboard quarter, making a hole 70 feet square extending lrom the deck to below the water-line. The vessels hung together until thepassengers of the Lcura had clambered aboard the Ajax or been transferred to a tug manned by men from the battleship Connecticut, wiio came to gtve assistance. The Lcura's bulkheads remained Intaet, mid prevented the vessel from "inking. She returned to port. The Ajax's bow was badly bnttered, and several plates were wrenched out of position. She was put into dock. ' When the collision occurred there was a momentary panic among the Leura's passengers. One or two women fainted. FLEET SAILS FOR ALBANY. Received fl, 4.40 p.m. Melbourne, September 6. The fleet sailed for Albany yesterday.