The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1908. VISIT OF THE AMERICAN FLEET

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2153, 31 March 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1908. VISIT OF THE AMERICAN FLEET

There can be no question but that Auckland is at last to be given the opportunity to scoro over her old rival, Wellington, in being selected as tho New Zealand port of call lor tlm American fleet. Tho occasion will bo a most momentous one, indeed the visit of tho Duke and Duchess of York is tho only event in recent years that can in any way bo compared with it as ono marking our place amongst modern nations. Those who are fortunato enough to-bo in Auckland when tho fleet arrives will witness a spectacle such as is rarly seen even in.-th-older world. It is perfectly true, as President Roosovelt has said, that no fleet representing collectively so great a tonnago and weight of armament ever undertook so long a voyage ns that upon wliich tho sixteen battleshinps under RearAdmiral Davis set out on December 16th from Hampton Roads. The departure of tho fleet was graphically described in “Harper’s Weekly”thus:

In tho silenco -Which follows tho thunder of a hundred guns, the worldwatclied battleships of the Atlantic fleet have swung into lino anil steamed for tho open sea. At the horizon the black pennants of smoko which fly from tho sixteen steel-clad ships aro ravelling away to tho northward. Strong eyes can still mark tho white specks which so short a time ago wero towering floating fortresses, thorny with guns, yet flowery with tho speech flags of tho sea. Lett behind are only tho straining oyos, tho wonderment, tho anxiety of it all and tho peaco of a deserted roadstead. And although tho smoko is fast disappearing from tho rim of tho horizon, tho watchers still stand with their faces seaward, as if perhaps just at the last .they may no able to seo into tho fxyture—only for tho space of fivo or six months—which stretches away before tho ships in endless leagues of sea.

Of the voyage of these ships nothing is known to tho legion of w'atekers savo that tlieir destination is San Francisco. But wherever, tho sea track lies, to whatever point the courso of this fleet of steel is laid, in whatever guise history rides unon the prow of tho flagship, it is known throughout tho land that it will render its own fair and honorable account to the nation’s lar-borne flag. . The fleet which passed out from Hampton ltoads is tho most powerful massing of sea-figlitors under a singlo command which has ever been seen accomplished in tho New World. And when the signal of, tho Commander-in-Chief was flashed from the flagship, the sixteen great-craft, with their fourteen thousand souls aboard, hove anchor and swung to place in line with the case and precision of a drill squad. It was wonderful to watch that line steam past, to note tho power of each ship as sho glided by. Each ship so clearly indicated her strength, tho reserve, the determination animating her, and yet the magnitude of the sceno was not so impressive in this passing as in tho later moments when one marked tho length of the lino, for when tlio last ship was close under the ramparts of Fortress Monroe the van-ship of the fleet was four miles away to the south-east and fast dimming on tho horizon. It is evident, therefore, that tho sight of tlio American Armada entering Auckland harbor will provide a superb and inspiring spectacle such as few have the opportunity to witness more than once in a lifetime. Not only that, but the event itself has a significance that can scarcely be overestimated. It constitutes an hibition of naval strength in the Pacific from tho one foreign nation which is bound to our own by tho closest ties of blcpd and kinship. Though engaged on a peaceful mission, it must be recognised that the United States lias chosen this method to give formal notice tg tho world that Undo Sam intends tp take an important part in any futuro developments of those countries that bolder the Pacific, .and from the point of j view of those who are haunted by tho spectre of the yellow peril, it will be a pleasing sight to see some navy other than, the Japanese in f.ull fighting trim in tho Pacific. New Zealanders will welcome tho opportunity to show their regard for tho groat American nation, and Aucklanders will be especially honored in being made a port of call in the historic cruise of a mighty fleet.