UNITED STATES FLEET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2275, 21 August 1908, Page 3

UNITED STATES FLEET.

GABLE NEWS

THE VISIT TO SYDNEY.

MESSAGE FROM THE ADMIRAL

United Press Association. Copyright SYDNEY, August 20. The weather is bright and fine, but cokl. Visitors have been pouring into the city all night, end since daylight there has been a steady exodus to vantage grounds along the const and harbor ldreshore. Every possible means ol transit have been pressed into service, all being densely crowded. Some people, m an excess of enthusiasm, camped out all night. The high rocky const for miles from Botany to the heads affords a magnificent panoramic view of the approaching fleet, which is expected to signal otf Botany at 9 o’clock, and enter the harbor at 11.110 According to present indications, before that tithe the spectators alloat and ashore along the route will number some hundreds of thousands.

The shipping in the harbor is gaily dressed.

The final touches have been put to the decorations, ami the city looks .it its best.

Admiral Sperry sent tlio following wireless reply to Lord Northcoto: "On behalf of the Government of the United States and Jleet, I thank you most heartily, and through you the people of the Coinmomvolnth, for your gracious message of welcome to the American fleet, tlio officors and men of which are looking forward with most pleasurable anticipation to a bettor acquaintance with their kinsmen of this great member of the British Empire.”

ARRIVAL OF THE FLEET

AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME

United Press Association, Copyright (Received August 20, 3.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 20. The lights of tho fleot were first sighted shortly after 5 a.m. Then"a mist obscured it, and it was not again observed till 7.30 a.m. Then only a short glimpse of tho vessels, heading seaward was obtained, and the watchers on the cliffs had another two hours’ wait. At the end of that time one by one the great, ghost-like white masses shouldered their way out of the mist, mid became plainly visible. They approached the coast in singlo line, and presen toil an imposing spectacle. Running closer inshore, the line broke into sections of four, and- slackened speed, and as they slowly ran down tho coast towards the Heads, they performed a series of intricate and interesting manoeuvres.

A large fleet.of crowded steamers, which went out early to meet the squadron, fell in behind the battleships and escorted them to the Heads. The cliff’s everywhere were alivo with sightseers, and there were (mormons crowds at the North and South Heads to watch the entrance.

An hour was spent manoeuvring off the lighthouse, and at 11.30 a.m. the fleet 6tood out again, and entered the Heads in single file, the flagship leading the flotilla into the harbor. An outburst of cheering greeted the fleet, which saluted Australia with 21 guns, fired by the Connecticut, to which Fort Deniston replied. The slopes of the harbor were everywhere black with humanity, and the water was alive with craft of all descriptions. Thef/fleet moored (outside the fairway, all traffic being stopped during the entrance. As each vessel qaased, moving majestically to its anchorage, it was greeted with outbursts of cheering, tho excitement running high. During a long wait the spectators in the harbor were entertained by a- display of daylight fireworks in tho shape of- bombs which, exploding, displayed Union Jacks, birds and beasts. The weather is glorious, and tho streets are almost deserted.

OFFICIAL CALLS.

NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS

United Press Association. Copyright

(Received August 20'. 8 p.m.)

SYDNEY', August 20. Without fuss, each vessel steamed, to its anchorage and dropped anchor, and by 1 o’clock all were moored. Rear-Admiral Sperry was greatly impressed, with-the enthusiasm of the reception. At 3 o’clock the Admiral landed amid the booming of the guns of the naval brigade forming a guard of honor. He called on Lord Northcote, and a little later Lord Northcote and Sir Harry Rawson returned the call. That concluded the official business for the day. It is-difficult to estimate the numbers who witnessed the magnificent pageant, hut it is believed that fully 400,000 viewed the spectacle. Accidents were numerous, and there were many serious tram accidents. Several sick passengers fell overboard at the Heads, hut were rescued. A man fell from the roof of a tram and l was killed. About 50 persons have been treated at the hospitals for injuries.

CITY ILLUMINATIONS

A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE.

United Press Association. Copyright (Received August 20, 9.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 20. The city to-night was brilliantly illuminated. Both the American and the British vessels were glowing with myriads of lamps, and presented a wonderfully beautiful scene. Although the city illuminations do not reach the extent of the efforts put forth at the Commonwealth time, still what his been done has been well done. . The most imposing decorative effect is that of the immense statue of L:bertv, after Bertholdi, in front of the “Daily Telegraph” office. This- bronze statue rises from the pavement to a height of some 00ft, and is flanked on either hand with the American flag and. the. Union Jack, worked out with electric lamps. The Town Hall is beautiful in its simplicity, the architectural outlines of the structure lieiiH' lined with electric lamps. The Post” Office presents a most striking effect, the huge building being one sparkling mass of fights. Ihe Custom House is surmounted with the inscription, “To our kinsmen of the Mayflower,” while Admiralty House, on the water-front, is delineated in colored lamps aiul casts its radiance i cross the hav. Ain run Place, in which the Post Office stands, is beautifully festooned with streamers in art shades, suspended from Corinthian pillars, surmounted by the American Eagle. A.ong Maequaire Street festoons of greenery cross and reoross the street, connecting it into a long archway of green. At tlu» cut fatten of tlie archway st alias two massive pillars. 'lhe one on the right is surmounted by a golden eagle, and on the shaft of the column is inscribed in gold , the names of the American vessels. The column on tlie left hears a gold lion, while the inscription displays the names of all the admirals who have held commands in the Australian station. Ail public buildings are gorgeously illuminated, hearing devices of suitable character.

'[’lie, streets wore crowded with sightseers. Bands arc playing American and English airs at various points, but few of the fleet are ashore to-night as the real entertainment docs not commence till to-morrow.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S DINNER

AMERICAN ADMIRALS ENTERTAINED.

United Press Association. Copyright (Received August 21, 12.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 20. Oik- man fell oyer a cliff at South Head and was killed. The Governor-General entertained the Admirals of the American fleet, Admiral Poole, Mr. Dealcin, Ministers of the State Mhrstry,. Privy Councillors, and the Victorian and Queensland Ministers. The dinner was a brilliant function. The Glacier arrived to-night, and the Relief entered the Heads an hour after,