THE ARMADA ARRIVES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19366, 24 July 1925, Page 11

THE ARMADA ARRIVES

SYDNEY HARBOUR AT ITS BEST, BRIGHT SUNSHINE GREETS THE FLEET. GREAT CHEERING FROM THE CROWDS. SYDNEY, July 23. The American fleet made its entry to Port Jackson under most favourable weather conditions. The famed haibour 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 nine o’clock Sydney was practically a deserted city. From early morning the populace had been pouring afoot and in all kinds of vehicles to the harbour foreshores, and every point oi vantage from Botany Bay round to South" Head showed a black fringe of humanity. The harbour everywhere [was alive with craft, ranging from big I steamers to countless rowing boats, all

j gaily decorated. Watchers from tin coast clitfs secured a splendid view o the fleet as it steamed up the coast ii • stately lino, clearly outlined in tin I bright sunshine against the dark blm ocean, then slowly swinging round s< .that the ships followed each ot-he through the heads. Admiral Robieson’s flagship Cali fornia led the procession of the eigh visiting warships—West Virginia, Col orado, Tennessee, Maryland. Ney Mexico, Idaho, Mississippi and th hospital ship Relief. The first sight of the California’ nose inside the harbour was the signa for a mighty outbreak of cheering cockadoodling, and flag waving, whir was maintained until the great ship swung gracefully to their anchorage in two lines off the Kirribilli Point an Rose Bay sides of the harbour. Steamers conveying the Ministry an State guests met the fleet at the head and accompanied the procession of th combined squadron of American an Australian vessels. Airships manoei vred overhead. The California’s, gun thundered a salute in reply to th greetings and later when the America ; admirals landed the compliment wa j returned and the city again reverbci i ated with the sound of the salute c seventeen guns.

! The rest of the forenoon and the early afternoon were spent in making 'official calls. i The crowds meantime drifted back to the city and massed themselves i along the brilliantly buntinged march i route for 2000 of Uncle Sam’s men. : Though the chief decoration centred ! along the route, flags were flying everywhere. The town was in gala garb and 1 full of visitors, taking advantage of the public holiday. MELBOURNE EN FETE. MELBOURNE, July 23. I The city is en fete for the arrival of I the fleet, though street bunting and i other decorations will not show at. their I best owing to the rain which fell yesterday. The entry at the heads will be made at .10 in the morning. The fleet will then steam up the bay berthing at two o’clock. Melbourne's section of the fleet consists of Admiral Coontz’s flagship Seattle and Pennsylvania, Nevada, Oklohama, Richmond, Marble Head, Trenton, Memphis, Melville and a number of smaller vessels. A wireless from the Seattle last night stated that the fleet is kicking its way to Melbourne through stormy weather and a rough sea. As a result of this the vessels on which great preparations had been made for landing i will not on arrival bo as spick and span as the men would have liked them . to be. =