U.S.A. FLEET.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1925, Page 3

U.S.A. FLEET.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] A FINE SPECTACLE. WELLINGTON, August 11. The squadron presented a line spectacle as it came up the Harbour on time. The sun shone out brightly in great contrast To the recent wild spell of weather. Two days of bitter cold, however, had left a mantle of snow on the ranges on the east side of the harbour and though the wind bad changed from south to north, it had a keen edge from its passage over the Kimutakas and down the Mutt valley. 'The great grey ships of war and white painted hospital ship moved steadily on, hands playing and there were occasional hursts of cheering from the shore and harbour steamers, especially from school children alloat and marshalled at various vantage points ashore, while planes circled over head or speeded here and there in orderly formations, from which one would occasionally detach itself to cause the spectators to catch their breath as it looped the loop, dived or performed other hair raising tricks. These eralt as they turned or twisted aloft seemed turned to silver as the sun struck the lirigli metal fusilade. When all the ships had reached the stream the Seattle came to lierth at Kings Wharf. Ihe Pennsylvania and another smaller ship showing berthage there. while the hospital ship went to Clyde Quay wharf. The rest of the Squadron took up aneliorgae in the stream. While doing this .seaplane- ceased Hying and came clown on the harbour and taxied to their respective ships and acre hoisted aoburd.

Commodore Beale of New Zealand division Koval Navy tl;en paid an official call on Admiral Coontz alter which Admiral Coontz visited the* (Governor General. Afterwards visits were exchanged with the Government, Harbour Hoard and City Council. A civic reception takes place at f> p.m. and in the evening Admiral Coontz and principal officers will lie guests of the Governor General at dinner.

WELLINGTOX A H RIVAL. WELLINGTON. August 11. Ten ships of the Cnited States Combined Fleet, which has been visiting Australia, after its manoeuvres in the North Pacific, arrived at Wellington today, under the command of Admiral Kohert E. Coontz. The visit could not have been better timed from a meteorological standpoint. The weekend had been particularly wintry, and yesterday, cold, biting southerly squalls made the outlook most iinpropitious. so that even the Government Meteorologist, who usually is optimistic, forbore to be more than hopeful for better weather to-day. The morning broke clear, though the light southerly air had a crispness that set the Wood a tingle, hot a blue sky was overhead, instead of the grey pall so much in evidence lately. As the morning advanced, the city assumed a holiday air. The buildings displayed a good deal of bunting, and the people congregated at all points of advantage around the harbour frontage, and even on the ocean beach from the Heads towards Island Bay, which, with its sister seaside suburb of Lyall Bay, was afforded a fine spectacle as the squadron came up across Cook Strait and made for the harbour entrance. The ships in the lmrbour were dressed with hunting. As the time approached for t squadron’s arrival, harbour steamers, ' all thronged with sightseers, went down the harbour to the Heads. Launches and yachts also carried quotas to welcome the visitors. The squadron showed over the horizon about 10 a.m., smudges of smoke marking the line of ships. A little later a squadron of six seaplanes swept in. having been catapulted from their parent ships about 10 miles out. Suddenly, as the flotilla, of harbour ships were approaching Point Hal swell, whence the late 'Prime Minister’s last resting piece commands the view of all who venture in through the capital city’s portals, these planes came sailing overhead like great birds. Made beautiful by the sunlight glinting on their silvered fuselages, the planes swept on, changing their formation frequently, • circling over the city and the harbour, and then returning seawards again to the ships of war, as the big ships caino through the heads. They entered promptly at 11.30, according to the schedule announced by Admiral Coontz, keeping time and station, as all good navy ships are trained to do. First came the battleship .Seattle, bearing Admiral Coontz’s Hag. Then came the Pennsylvania, the Oklahnma, and the Nevada, followed by the hospital ship Relief. Then came the light cruiser division, the .Richmond (leading), Marblehead, Memphis, and the Trenton. The supply ship Medusa, was with this division. Though something like a. swell came in at the Heads a legacy of the southerly storm so lately in evidence, causing the crowded ferry steamers to curtsev to the waves, the big war craft moved along steadily, as if on the quiet waters of a lake. As they passed in, a big outgoing ship of peace, hound on her lawful mission of commerce went out, and there was the usual interchange of courtesies, each dipping its ensign as the punctilio of the sea so gravely insists upi„i. As they came abreast of the iorts, the interchanges were repeated, and against the warships passed the waiting, crowded steamers, the same ceremony was observed. The ship’s hands also played martial tunes, and the people, especially the school children on the steamer Duchess, cheered the visitors. •

Blight sunshine flooded tlie harbour, yesterday's cloud banks l joiureduced now to lleec.v wisps of vapour, against which the wheeling seaplanes stood out black one moment, to he turned the next instant into things of silvered beauty, as they soared into the sunlight. There was a light northerly that had a keen edge on it, from its passage over tho Rimutaka. ranges, heavily coated with snow. The hills eastward of tin harbour also bore light mantles oi white in places, so that, despite the brilliant sunrays, which scintillated on mvriad wavetops, tho air was ori enough to make wraps acceptable to the sightseers. Steadily the line moved up the liarA hour, round Point Jerningham, into the stream. Thousands of people lined the point and shores of Oriental Bay. while all the high buildings seemed suddenly to have grown masses of gesticulating cheering figures upon them. The planes still circles above, or moved along in ordered formations, only to break into eccentric movement again while one treated the crowd to some wonderful “stunting” work.

VISITORS BEHAVIOUR AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, August 11. Most of the American sailor s on leave seem to be spending their time in walking up and down the main streets. The Americans do not seem to care about taxi-riding about, nor are they given to gating at the shop windows. A ride on the trams to the suburbs is apparently to tho taste of the visitors. As to their doings generally, they are behaving themselves, and are giving no trouble to the police, or the "shore patrols, - and there” is absolutely no sign of any swaggering about the streets, or of demanding a passage through n crowd.

The street manners of the Americans are undeniably good, and the (Shore Patrolmen, who arc accomodated with a room at the Police Station. are having a quiet time. This afternoon a civic reception was tendered the Admiral and his officers in the Early Settlers Hall.

The R.S.A. entertained ITo men. In addition all the men were admitted free to '’llllllo Dunedin!” a local play staged at the Y.M.C.A. AMERICAN SAILORS’ MISTAKE. DUNEDIN, August 11. Shortly alter coming ashore to-day a squad of American sailors made a. bee-line for a door marked “Saloon.” Their disgust on discovering that it was only a barber’s shop was intense. From that out until closing time the harbors were kept busy cm point duly giving the necessary rc-dncction.

THE DESTROYER SQUADRON CHRISTCHURCH, August 11

Preceded by the cruiser Omaha, the United States Destroyer Squadron entered Lyttelton Harbour this morning, being greeted by thousands of people, and by brilliant sunshine, with a fleet of aeroplanes hovering overhead. The berthing took up a little time, hut soon the whole squadron was tucked cosily within the moles. The youthfulness of the sailors was a. subject for general comment, tne public: not expecting to find such a large number apparently under the age of 21 -years.

The trip across from Melbourne was good, though seasickness was not un-

Tlie first official call on Rear-Admiral F. Sonollicld, after the Omaha was berthed was made by the representatives of the Lyttelton Harbour Board.

“We bad a fine trip across—splendid, .said Admiral Seholfield, “and then this glorious suiishiuc at the end ol it. with the pietulicsquc mountains Hanking your line port.'' This was tne "ay ol the Admiral in putting them all at

ease. Calls were also made by the -Mayors of Christchurch, Lyttelton and .Sumner and by Colonel Young, which were subsequently returned. Short leave was given early in the afternoon, and the town was thronged with sailors, a good lew ot whom louinl their way out to the races. This evening a civic reception was accorded the ollicers. A lengthy programme has been mapped out tor the entertainment of the visitors. Speaking at the civic reception tonight, Rear-Admiral M'huliiold of the American Meet, said: “Our object is to make friends and we want to make personal Iriends and national friends, and there is no idea of exclusiveness in that friendship. We want il to extend to the remotest shores ol the farthest seas.”

MARCH THRO’ CITY. WELLINGTON, 'August 12. Men of the visiting United States Navy must have been highly impressed with the cordial nature of to-day’s welcome as they marched in force through the city streets. All parts of the route were lined by friendly throngs and even the weather which yesterday was so fine, hut had a touch of frostiness in the air this morning, was warm and balmy, scarcely enougi breeze blowing to lift the hunting which everywhere was evident. Aim... fifteen hundred of all ranks participated, and comprised battalions of marines, three battalions of bluejackets from the Seattle, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Nevada, each with machin gun sections and a battalion of marine artillery, with bands from the various ships interspersed through the line ol march. Each battalion carried the Hag of its ship as well as the Stars aim Stripes. The whole parade was under command of Cupt. McDooll. captain i the battleship Oklahoma. The men made a line display as they moved through the crowded streets, bright sunshine showing up the colors of then review order uniforms and giving the whole a more impressive appearance than was observed yesterday, when the men were in more or less working rig. The route lay up Bunny Street through Parliament Grounds (where the Govern-or-General with Admiral Coontz took the salute as each Hag party passed them), through Lanibtoii Quay, Will.. •St.. Cuba St., and along the harbour front. The route was lined by enthusiastic crowds, who turned out in very large force, attracted by the warm spring air and the promise of a display which since the war time has not often been seen here. While the parade was forming and during the march through the city, seaplanes wheeled ami manoeuvred above the streets and over the harbour, and as yesterday they were the cynosure of all eyes, when in twisting and turning they alternately showed silver and black as tbey presented the suitkissed bright metal work ol shaded .sides to view. A party of permanent artillery paraded to form a guard of honour for the Governor-General and made a striking contrast in their khaki, against the all blue of the naval men. Auothei note of contrast was furnished while the parade was forming up, by the passing of a party of I.Salvatikm Army worn-* en ollicers in uniform of quiet blue, typifying an army designed for warfare of a different character from that giving rise to the existence of the mi. tarv organisation, whose presence was the occasion of the days’ gathering. Admiral Coontz and his principal officers are to be tendered an cflk is luncheon by the Government this afternoon at tho Town Hall and later .in the afternoon the Matron and nurses ut the hospital ship. Relief, will hi the guests of the 1 rained Nurses Association at the latter’s rooms. AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, August 12. A Hue day for the Fleet, the .men ashore devoting most of their time tc sight-seeing. Early this muring five hundred men lelt lor Hamilton, as the guests of tin. Government.

B AIN AT Al't'K I.AN D. AUCKLV.ND. Aug. 12. The flagship California bertbed ai Prince's Wharf this morning at dead low water without a hitch. The weather is very cold, with steady Jain. VISIT TO HAMILTON, HAMILTON. August 12. Six hundred men from the American Elect came to Hamilton to-day by special train and were welcomed on arrival by tbc Mayor, and a licet- of motor cars took them for a run round tho town and environs. The men were entertained at luncheon and given their liberty for the afternoon. A football match was staged, ami it is hoped to arrange an exhibition el baseball. The weather is wintry and the men greatly feel the cold.