Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-08-20
WARMLY GREETED UPON lAIlIns
Estimated That Hall a Milton Pso-
pie Gathered on the Landing When
Fleet Hove In Sioht--Men VIII Do
; Given Royal Reception BY South
Sea islanders.
(By Associated Press).

SYDNEY, n. 8. W. Aug. 2G.-Early
this morning thin veil of smoke
on the horizon signalIed to the watch
crs on the coast the approach OF
the American warships. and Mt 6:3S
official notification was sent out that
the fleet had been sighted. II was
yet 20 miles outside OF Sydney har-
Dor. but the word, which had been
awaited eagerly by tens OF thousands
stirred Australians like call to
arms. and almost instantly those who
had not already left the city to take
up points OF vantage along the hays
were moving N drOves to line the
qnays. the roof tops and other places
OH the hnrbor front, to watch tho
coming VI the guardships Of the new
world.
The day broke bright and clear
and so intense was the interest In
the American ships Of war that halt
OF the populace remained awake all
night and thousands were On their
way to the hill tops outside II tina
city limits. where they c0nyregated
seemingly In unbroken lines along
the coast from Bondi Beach to Man
ly.
Viewed BY HALF million People.
1t Is estimated that hardly less
than half a million people assembled
to give the visitors royal welcome.
Sydney harbor. with its innumerable
bays, coves and branches never look
ed more beautiful nor did the Amer
lean sailors ever witness more in
spring sight than that which met
their eyes as the white ships camo
through the channel past the great
headlands into port Jackson.
A hundred thousand, the greatest
single assemblage. had gathered ON
| southside where a magnificent view
o: the whole scene was to be had.
! Hundreds of craft Of all kinds moved
! up and down and even at that early
hour all the waters. with the excep-
ton Of the anchorages being dotted
with little and big vessels decorated
in every conceivable manner with
flags and bunting The feet LETT
Auckland at Sis Saturday morning
apd with the exception OF one day
had fair weather all the way to sgd.
ney.
eneountered Heavy weather.
On Tuesday the warships encoaA-
tered heavy winds which threw %
a stiff head sea, greatly retarding
their progress. Throughout Tuesoay
| night the high seas caused the hrg-
| er Of the ships TO roll at least tWen-
~ degrees. while the auxiliaries suf-
fered even more severely.
There was considerable discomfort
] for all the men and the intervals
| between the vessels were increased
| 20 six hundred yards. The foema-
ton. however. was NOT changed. No
| ev0lutions were indu1gd In On -
count Of heavy weather durins this
period but this abated the following
| day. when the ships we're about IT,
| miles from port.
Speei was then increased % u
! knots and. although the hospital dip
Relief was left behind. the Others
reached the coast on schedule time.
the Americans as announced 70 IT,
Australians 20 participate in the -
| tivi;ics prepared for them
In perfect alignment. the NaeHoeV
| Connection, leading with Rear Admiral
| Sperry on the bridge. the warsetVs
cane ont Of the horizon. inst Q NTH
smoke showing and then the husss.
io~ down in the distance. Pssssog
through the Sydney heads IN Sousss
column At intcryals Of go yards. TIE
ships locked to have a world of speeo
and power under their ettsseoto8
sides. The feet was attended ~ CO..
voy steamers and vas greeted wa
a roar Of saintcs from the forts. .
steamed slowly along The tsese
ands ashore and a5oat sdAed tse6
cheers TO swell the noisy welcome 49,
countless British and Americas so9s
were flung 20 the brccse and we're -
waving long after the anchors -
been swung from the sfdes.
Tho American ships bcomed $sstn ,
salute 10 the psrt and ~ sooa - III
ver. safely mocred ~ ftarir aseeesu0D
oasrtaI visits we're exchanged