New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-05
FAREWELL TO FLEET
THE ST4RT FOR ALBANY.
Thousands Bid Goodby to the inner
lean Sailors.

Melbourne Sept 5.-Punctualy at O'Clock
this morning the Connecticut. flagship of Rear
Admiral Sperry. commander in chief of the
American Atlantic feet. weighed anchor and
pointed her prov down the bay. With cloc<ike
precision fourteen others of the white hued
craft followed in her wake and began the cruise
to Albany. The New Jersey remained in the
harbor to convey the American mail. which Is
expected soon TO reach the fleet.
AS the vessels passed down the bay in single
file the hills and the town Of Melbourne re-
sounded again with the booming of saiutes from
the fleet and the batteries ashore Scores of
steamboats,. yachts and launches. laden with
cheering crowds. escorted the ships down the
bay to the headlands. where they remained until
the American vessels were lost in the fog The
headland shores were crowded with spectators
TO see the departure of the warships. The full
significance of their visit. It is believed, has
not been realized.
Melbourne. Sept. 4.-This is the last day of the
entertainments in honor of the officers and men
of the American battleship fleet. which have
brought the people of Melbourne into such pleas
ant contact with their visitors II dawned
bright. if to make up for the Indictment
weather of the early part of the week, and the
programme was carried out without hitch OF in
lerFuptlOn- Inc neet VIII SAIL tO-iDOFIO"
ing at 8 o'clock for Albany, West Australia
where it will remain for week, taking coal
The bodies of Arthur Decker, sailor from the
New Jersey. and a bandsman from the Vermont
named Nicholson. who were killed by railroad
trains while on excursions, were buried to-day
with full military honors. Detachments OF the
local naval and military forces attended the
ceremonies.
The party of American officers which as guests
OF the Automobile Club, made a trip IN motor
cars over Blacks Spur, was accompanied by
Sir John Madden. the Lieutenant Governor
The route was from the clubhouse, by way OF
Richmond Kew Box Hill and Lflydale to Fern
shaw. where luncheon was served. The journey
then continued over the spur.
The state government this afternoon enter
tained Admiral Sperry and the senior officers
of the fleet at luncheon at Parliament House
Sir Thomas Gibson Carmichael. the Governor Of
Victoria. and many of the state ministers were
present
This afternoon there were baseball and Ia
crosse matches at the cricket ground. and a
regatta on Hobson's Bay. A nine from the
fleet defeated Victoria team. 1s to L The boat
in the morning consisted Of variety OF
contests between small sailing and rowing craft
as well as motor boats. manned mostly by
members of local clubs. Prizes to the amount OF
$3.50 were awarded. In the afternoon there were
sailing and rowing races between boats from
the American fleet and boats Of the royal navy
and the Australian naval forces.
Rear Admiral Sperry has sent this farewell
message to the people OF Australia:
The welcome which has come from the COM
monweaith, the states, the municipalities and
the crowds IN the streets has been generous and
kindly beyond belief This heartiness between
the people OF the two great English speaking
nations must tend to the preservation Of the
peace of the world
A large crowd of Australians assembled at
the central tramway station tonight to take
enthusiastic leave of the Americans. II was a
scene OF wild good fellowship and hearty leave
taking. As each American sailor arrived at the
station TO board a trolley to get down TO
the landing stages the crowd swooped down
upon him. and. lifting him high shoulders.
carried him into the building and deposited him
in his seat to constant accompaniment Of
hurrahs, calls of "Goodby. old man and the
final singing of the chorus For He's a Jolly
Good Fellow" No soon had one man been
started on his way than the untiring Australians
sought out another. and even when the Ameri-
cans arrived by the dozen and by the score
there was no lack of willing hands and arms to
give each sailor marine a similar send-off
Friendships have been formed by the men as
we'll as their officers, and there were also many
fervent Ieavetakings on the station platform
-S