The sun., 1908-08-29

screaming salute OF Hteam WnlRues-FoOs
pie Ashore Wave welcomes-DStlls on
the way Reported BY wireiess-Fun
Programme Of Parades and Fessts.
S,ssiaI Cable Despatch TO THE SUN.
MELBOURNE, Aug. 2e.-The United States
battleship feet reached Fort Phillips Head
at il15 this forenoon. The Connecticut led
and the ships were in single column. The
last Of them passed into the bay at HISS.
Great crowds lined the cliffs and waved
salutes to the ships. cheering enthusiastic
cally. although they knew the sounds could
not reach the vessels. II was q cool morn
ing with gray sky. but clear atmosphere.
The sun came out as the ships passed the
headlands and Iii up the splendid marine
pageant. as the veeoels steamed UP the bay
for distance Of thirty miles to Melbourne,
escorted by scores Of pleasure craft OF all
descriptions They reached the anchor
age Of the city between and . O'Clock.
The ships were sighted passing Wilson's
Promontory. l25 miles from the entrance
to the harbor. at o:4s last night. They
were In sinsles 7colunn.l going, about 10
knots. ~ W s7''s =
A wireless despatch from the Connecticut
dated 1850 p. NJ yesterday said; =.
Since leaving Sydney We have expert
enced good weather and smooth seas. There
have been no incidents Of note. Drills
were held last night and tonight. We
have averaged IL knots an hour. but to-day
we slowed down to 0 knots to avoid arriving
off Melbourne too early. After passing
Wilson's Promontory the feet laid its
course for Port Phillip Head
II lis expected that 70, 600 visitors will come
to Melbourne during the stay Of the feet.
The reception Of the heet began as 1t
entered the bay with a screaming salute
of eteam whistles. The oficial visits were
exchanged early in the afternoon and the
Governor entertained Admiral Sperry and
his officers at dinner this evening.
The official landing OF Admiral Sperry
and the feet officers will take place Monday
at St. Kilda Pier. on the eastern side OF the
harbor, while the other officers. sailors and
marines will land at Port Melbourne. on the
north side. The officers will be received
by the Prime Minister Of the Common
wealth and tie Cabinet. the Premier OF
Victoria and the members Of tho State
Ministry. Thu Lord Mayor OF Melbourne
and the Mayors Of ST. Kilda. Prahran and
South Melbourne will present to Admiral
Sperry addreses Of welcome. :.
There will le parade Of the sailors and
marines Of the feet along the beautiful
st. Kilda road in the afternoon. The
procession Will cross Princes Bridge over
the River Tara into the city proper and
will march to the exhibition buildings
in Carlton Gardens. The Admirais and
their stats will hold q reception there and
at its close the entire landing party VIII
be entertained at luncheon. In the evening
there will l,e IN ofiioial banquet for the
officers and theater parties for the mon:
All the civic organizations In the city Will
hold torohlight parade.
Tuesday is to be q public holiday. Ell.
oursions FOR officers to Ballarat. the goid
mining centre and to North Miboe VIII
be features Of the day. On Wednesday
there will be excursions to Bendig and
horseracss. At night there will be smok-
ing concert for the men at the Town Hall.
The Royal Yacht Club will give an ofhoer
dinner. Thursday 10 to be marked by
military parade and review at Pennington
and ,he Commonwealth will entertain
soldiers, sailors and marines at luncheon.
The Melbourne club will give dinner Tor
the officers and the City Newsboys ball
for the enlisted men.
On Friday the officers will be taken
touring by the automobile club. and there
will be sailors' regatta on Hobsons Bay.
baseball and lacrosse matches will also
take place and the warrant officers OF tho
British and Australian SERVICES viii en-
tertain those Of the feet. Saturday. Sep
ternber 4. In to be sailing day.