THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9163, 5 June 1908, Page 6

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

VISIT TO VALPARAISO. A SPLENDID SIGHT. A visitor to Valparaiso gives the following interesting account of the passing of the United States fleet:— “My daughter and I went to Valparaiso to see the fleet go by. It was a fine sight.. Exactly at the hour,announced the fort at the southern horn of the bay fired a signal gun, and at the same instant a line of battleships, sixteen abreast, and five miles across, came in view, passed the point, and then every ship turned sharp and formed a long line, heading-straight for the port. They came in slowly and about 300 yards behind the other, and when opposite the fort saluted in unison, the 16 guns as one, 31 rounds. Then they crossed the port and swept round the bay not 300 yards from the shore, slowly and majestically, no smoke, no visible disturbance. We could see the people on board quite plainly. The bands were playing ‘Hail Columbia’ on every ship. Close <o where we were, our President wa«--o reviewing ,, the fleet from the national'orr training-ship Baquedau, and as tting fleet passed, every snip saluted a qu guns in turn. Then they turnevope away north, opening op the distancedan between each sh ! p imperceptibly, isk and as the smoke from the last gnn blew away there were a few flashes from the heliograph on the Chicago, and as if impulsed by one accord, the white foam rolled from every bow, and soon of the great white ships with their massive yellow towers and rows of long slim guns, nothing remained in sight but a long thin line of white, and a trail of smoke such as can only be made by Chili coal.” AUCKLAND RECEPTION. , s Per Press Association. Auckland, June C The Governor and Commissioners appointed by Government to cooperate with Auckland local bodies are still in conference with the Mayor discussing arrangements for the reception and entertainment of the American fleet. The programme so far agreed upon includes a Government dinner on Monday to the Admiral, officers and other official guests, provision being made for a thousand persona, and Government also associates itself with local bodies in providing entertainment for the men of the fleet* There will also be a volunteer review in the afternoon, an official welcome to the Admiral, presentation of souvenirs to the President of the United States, to the Admiral and men of the fleet. On Tuesday there will be the Mayor’s reception to the Admiral, officers and the citizens ; on Wednesday the Admiral and officers will visit Rotorua, where there will be a reception and entertainment. They will return on Friday and attend a function arranged by the Government.