THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 205, 19 August 1908, Page 4

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

A billliiET DJvAMA, XiiK TWO 1-ILAOS. IIOW A 11IOT WAS AVERTED. One of the ma.tters most generally commented upon was tlie absolute freedom from anything approaching disorder in tlie streets during Fleet Week, On ono or two occasions, however, there were incidents which, went, perilously near the borderland of a riot. Une sueii mstanco, illustrative of the easy manner | in which a crowd may change from n happy to a truculent mood, is thus tola by the Star:—-The crowd was at its thickest at the tramcar terminus at the loot ol yucca street. The burs had enip-] tied out their hundreds, and the bril-liantly-lighted streets were packed with a swaying, seething crowd. Here and there were to be seen groups of bluei. jackets who had been imbibing- perhaps it little too freely, and it was evident that one such group was on the lookout for any amusement which might present itself. They sang, they laughed, and, while rather more boisterous than others, were nevertheless not guilty of anything which would cause olt'eiice to passers-by. PULLED THE FLAG DOWN.

As they ueared the bottom of the street, Ihowever, one of the party was suddenly inspired to a little- more exciting devilment, and without hesitation he shinned up a, post to which twj llags, a Union Jack and a Stars and Stripes, were attached. Seizing tlw Yankee emblem, he pulled it from its position and ailixed it a couple of feet higher up than that of the British Ensign. At this rather critical moment a small party of British tars chanced along. Noticing the American flag Hying above the British, a sailornian

climbed up the pole with all the agility of a true British tar, and from liis position above the heads of the seething crowd he tore the Stars and Stripes to fragments. BLUEJACKETS AT FISTICUFFS.

An angry roar went lip from several hundred American throats, and as the Britisher dropped to the ground, the American who had beeii originally responsible for the trouble rushed at him. The Jack Tar knew how to use his fists, however, and the American went down like a log. Several members of the Fleet patrol picked their man up, and hustled liini away, while a crowd of citizens surrounded the Britisher.

For a while it looked as though a riol

was imminent, and there was an uneasy, feeling in the air. About 700 Americans and a large crowd of British tars were surging about the scene of the

fracas. A true chord of the good feeling which prevailed, 'however, turned tlie situation from one of gravity to that of enthusiasm. A bluejacket, pushing his way along the street all alone, singing happily to himself, and waving the Stars and Stripes to the accompaniment. of his own music, took in the situation at a glance. NEITHER ABOVE EITHER.

Clambering up the pole with monkeylike agility, he thrust his llag into the socket from which the other bannerette had been torn, alongside the Union Jack, and the two colours mingled together again. From his vantage ground at the top of the pole hj» drawled out with a happy Yankee twang, "Boys', I guess this is just how it ought to be. Not one above the other, but side by side." Instantly the scene was changed. The tension gave way to lightheartedness, and cheer upon cheer rang through the air.

" It's a grand harbour you've . got here," said a sturdy bluejacket, strolling along tile; quarter-deck, to an Auckland Star representative. "And a fine town, too. I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more of it. Enjoy myself? Why, first-rate. I've been ashore and had a thoroughly good time. It was a case of "'Hail fellow, well met,' with nearly everyone I came across, and plenty of them wanted to 'shout for me two or thrv* times. Oh, we had a very good time uj) town. -Say, is your winter like this always';" Assuring him of the general mildness of the Queen City's climate, the pressman walked over to a noncommissioned officer stationed at the other end of the vessel, and asked the same question. " Well, I haven't been ashore yet," was the reply, "but if the town is as good as the harbour, and 1 have as good a time as the others tell me they had yesterday, i am in for a tirst-class day." Just now it is of special interest to note that the first visit of an American warship to Australasian waters was in the year 1841, when the sloop Yorktown, under Commander Aulick, visited New Zealand, calling at the Jiay of I;lands, lie proceeded to Japan, but was not received, owing to the then restrictive policy of the Japanese against foreigners. Admiral Sperry's fleet has been invited to visit Japan. Trouble arose between a civilian and a bluejacket in Queen Street, all ovor a girl. The bluejacket had evidently aroused the jealousy of the civilhn, and the latter danced up to him aud struck a heavy blow at the sailor's' face. Quick as a Hash, another sailor saved the situation in rather a novel way. He wheeled in a circle on one heel between the two, thus knocking the irate one's fist harmlessly side, and before further hostilities could ensue a group of Jackies surrounded their mate, and bore him away from the scene.

A representative of the Auckland Herald went aboard one o£ the ships of the ileet one morning. At five o'clock reveille sounded, and in a few minutes swarms of men were engaged cleaning the already spotless decks, and polishing brasswork. Before seven o'clock the ship was quite clean, and the men were breakfasted. Iced water was the first course, after which came "breakfast foods" and eggs and bacon. At precisely eight o'clock the " Star-spangled Banner" was flayed, followed by the British National Anthem. At this the officers, who were breakfasting at the time, rose and saluted till the anthem was finished, out of compliment to tho only representative of the Empire on board.