U.S.A. FLEET.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1925, Page 3

U.S.A. FLEET.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] THE FLEET'S ARRIVAL. (Received this day at 11.25 a.ru.) (SYDNEY. July 23. The American Fleet made its entry into Port Jackson under the most favourable weather conditions. The lamed harbour appeared at its best tinder a clear sky and bright sunshine. Tinonly drawback was the shrewd " inter wind which chilled the spectators timing their lengthy vigil. By nine o’clock Sydney was practically a deserted city. From early morning the populate had been pouring afoot and in till kinds of vehicles to the harbour foreshores and every point of vantage from Botany Bay. round to South Head showed a black fringe of humanity. The harbour everywhere was alive with craft, ranging from big steamers to countless rowing boats, all gaily tie (i>ra ted. The watchers from the Coast cliffs secured a splendid view of the fleet as it steamed up in stately line, clearly outlined in the bright sunshine against the dark blue mean. Then it slow I v swung round so that the ships followed each other through the heads.

A CHEAT WELCOME. SYDNEY, July 23

Admiral Robinson's flagship, the California, led the procession of the s' visiting warships, the West Virginia, Colorado, Tcnessee, Maryland, New -Mexico, Idaho, Mississippi, and the (hospital ship Relief. The first sight of the California’s nose inside the harbour was the signal for a mighty outbreak of cheering, eoekdoodling and Hag waving which was maintained until the great ships swung gracefully to their anchorage in two lines off Kirribill Point and Rose Rav sides of the harbour. The steamers conveying the Ministry and State guests met the fleet at the Heads and accompanied the procession of the combined squadron of American and Australian airships manoeuvring overhead.

The California’s guns thundered a salute in reply to the greetings and later when the American Admirals landed, the compliment was returned and the citv again reverberated with the sound of a salute of seventeen

guns. The rest of the forenoon and early afternoon was spent in making official calls. The crowds meantime drifted back to the city and massed themselves along the brilliantly buntinged march route for two thousand of Uncle Sam’s men,

Though the chief decorations centred along the route, flags were Hying everywhere and the town was in gala garb and full of visitors taking advantage of the public holiday.

AT MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE, July 23.

The city is en lete for the arrival of the licet though the street hunting and 1 other decorations will not show at host, owing to rain which fell, yesterday. The entry at the heads will h matte at ten in the morning. The tleet will tieii steam up the hay, berthing at two o’clock. .Melbourne's section of the lleet consists of Admiral Comity, in the flagship Seattle, and Pennsylvania, Nevada, Oklohnmn, Richmond, Marble Head, Trcntor, Memphis, Melville and a unniber of smaller vessels.

A ;wirolotssi front the Sea'lltlo l|ast night the lleet is kicking its way 'to MeUyoumb jthrbngh stoifmy weather and a rough sea. As a result of this, the vessels on which great preparations had been made for landing will not on arrival lie as spic and span ns they would have liked them to have been.