New-York tribune., 1908-07-17
FLEET AT HONOLULU
MID-P4CIFIC ARRIV4L.
Islanders Make Holiday to Welcome
Tisitors-CneUentfm Trip.

Honolulu. July 16.-The Atlantic bsttleship
feet arrived at noon to-day BY seneral con-
sent the day made complete hohoay. All
business being suspended and thousands OF per-
sons from the different islands OF the territory
assembled on Diamond Head and other heights
and points OF vantage southeast OF TINS city 20
view the approaching vessels
Early In the morning the crowds began scran-
Ming mn the bluffs to catch the first sight Of
smoke above the horizon, and the nrst reahza-
ton of the long cherished hope came at I'D
O'Clock. when a message was received from the
1eper settlement on the island OF Molokai that
the feet had been sighted there, steamins IN
line of squadron formation. at a speed of ten
knots An overcast sky prevented the watchers
near here from seeing far out 70 sea- but tns
patience OF the lookouts was rewarded by the
appearance OF the Connecticut of the entrancs
to the channel at noon
The flagship was followed by the other ves-
sells in regular order. and twenty minutes later
all but the third division. composed of the
Louisiana. the Virginia. the Ohio and the Mis-
souri,. were in sight After passing Molokaf the
third division proceeded to Lahina. on the island
OF Maui. for coal.
AT 1880 D m. the Connecticut entered the
harbor. and was saIuted from the naval station
at 1:2S D. m. followed by the other ships. She
rounded he lighthouse buoy and came to anchor
inside the harbor. while the pent Up enthusiasm
of the islanders found vent In whistling sirens
and the bursting OF daylight fireworks.
As soon as the Connecticut had come 20 an
Choir the reception committee boarded her and
formally invited Rear Admiral Sperry and his
officers and men TO partake OF Hawaiian hospF-
tality Later In the afternoon Rear Admiral
Sperry made official visit to Governor Frear,
who returned the visit.
During
experienced pleasant weather and smooth seas
For two hours more daily except on sun
day. the feet had tactical manoeuvres and at the
same time routine drills were carried on No
noteworthy incidents occurred on the trip, and
as a matter OF fact the experiences on this the
first leg of the cruise, was rather un-
eventfuI than usual The fleet never had to-
stop or slow down. nor did any of the ships havs
to fall out of formation through accidents To
steering gear.
The health OF the crews has been good and
there have been no deaths or serious accidents
since leaving San Francisco. The Nebraska
which left behind when the feet sailed from
the Golden Gate on account OF scarlet fever
cases among her crew, overlook the fleet at $50
8 m. yesterday.
The third division. which went to Lahina for
coal. will come to Honolulu July 10 and re-
join the other members OF the fleet. Rear Ad-
miral Sperry is In excellent health
Tonight the city. dressed in bunting is
Illuminated with thousands OF electric lights
and the streets filed with a holiday making
crowd. Out in the harbor the men-of-war are
outlined in incandescent bulbs. their masts huge
electric crosses against equatorial sky.
Melbourne. Australia. July 16.-The official
programme of the festivities to welcome the
American battIeship feet at Melbourne has been
completed. Every day and every evening that
the vessels are here will be filled up with some
sort of entertainment. to include generous pro-
vision for the enlisted men. The official func-
tions will include dinner TO the senior officers
of the fleet August 90 by Governor Car
michael of Victoria, a dinner in Parliament
House by the commonwealth government on
August 80 and a reception to the admiraIs and
officers of the visiting feet by the state gov
ernment in the Exhibition Building Septem-
ber . At this last named function there will
be seven thousand guests.