AMERICAN FLEET.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18238, 24 November 1924, Page 9

AMERICAN FLEET.

VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND RENEWING ACQUAINTANCE SHIPS AND ITINERARY. (Received November 2Grd, 11.3 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 22. Mr Wilbur, Secretary of the Navy, to-day mado a statement dealing with tho fleet 'b visit to Australia and New Zealand, and for the first time published tho full tentative schedulo of tho vessels composing the fleet and tho detailed itinerary. Mr Wilbur said that after tho winter manccuvres in the Pacifio of tho combined fleets of the United States had been completed, it was proposed to send a squadron on a visit of courtesy to New Zealand and Australia. "This will bo the first time sinoo 1008 that our fleet has visited theso Dominions." said Mr Dcnby, "and tho first time for many years that the fleet has made so extended a cruise. The experience that will be gainod during such a cruise will be inestimable. Tho visit will also renew our acquaintance with tho people of tho Dominions and extend them the courtesy thoir friendship inspires." Tho fleet will be composed as follows:—

Battleship Division No. 3—Pennsylvania, 31,400 tons; Oklahoma, 27,500 tons; Nevada, 27,500 tons; and Arizona, 31,400 tons. Battleship Division No. 4—Now Mexico, 32,000 tons; Mississippi; 32,000 tons; Idaho, 32,000 tons; and California, 32,300 tons. ' Battleship Division No. s—West Virginia, 32,600 tons; Tonncssec, 32,300 tons; Maryland, 32,600 tons; Colorado, 32,000 tons. Light Cruiser Division No. 3 Raleigh, Detroit, Marblchead, and Memphis, each of 7500 tons. Destroyer Squadron No. 11, including Division No. 30 —Sinclair, McCawley, llenshaw, Meyer, and Doyen. Division 31—John Francis Burness, Farragut Somers, William Jones, Zeilin, and Pereival.

Division 32—Stoddert, Reno, Farqulxar Thompson, Kennedy, and Paul Hamilton.

.Destroyer Squadron No. 12, including Division 34—Yarborough, Lavallotte, Sloat Wood, Shirk, and Kinder. Division 35—Selfridge, Marcus, MorvinOj Chase, Robert Smith, and Mullaney. Division 36 —Hull, McDonogh, Farcnholt, Summer, Corry, and Melvin. The fleet will be engaged in tactics while en route to Pago Pago during the week July Ist to 10th, and from Pago Pago the battleship-divisions, each accompanied by a division of destroyers from Destroyer Squadron 12 and Light Cruisers and Destroyer Squadron 11, will sail for the following ports:— July 10th to 16th—Battleship Division 3, en route to Auckland. July 10th to 17th—Battleship Division 4, on route to Wellington. July 10th to 19th— Battleship Division 5, en routo to Sydney. > July 10th to 21st—Destroyer Squadron 11, en route to Melbourne. July 16th to 31st—Battleship Division 3 will be at Auckland. July 17th to 31st—Battleship Division 4 will be at Wellington. July ,19th to August 4th—Battleship Division 5 will ho at Sydney. July 21st to August 4th—Destroyer Squadron 11 will he at Melbourne. July 31st to August 6th —Battleship Division 3 will be en route to Sydney. July 21st to August 6th—Battleship Division 4 will be en route to Mel: bourne. August 4th to 9th—Battleship Division 5 will be en route to Wellington. August 4th to 9th—Destroyer Squadron 1 will bo en routo to Auckland. August sth to 20th—Battleship Division 3 will be at Sydney. August 6th to . 20th—Battleship Division 4 will bo at Melbourne. August 9th to 23rd—Battleship Division 5 will bo at Wellington. August oth to 25th—Destroyer Squadron 11 will be at Auckland. August 20th to 25th—Battleship Division 5 will be en route to Auckland. August 25th to September Ist—Vessels en routo to Pago Pago. September Ist to routo to Honolulu. September 10th to 20th—At. Honolulu, September 20th to 28th—En route to San Pedro. One light cruiser will visit each of the four ports. The fleet's personnel will total approximately 37,000 men.