Ahoy Shipmates

It was not only sailors, people were trampled in the crowds and fell from buildings while watching the parade. Crowds caused a grandstand to collaspe and a bridge to breakdown. Two sailors were killed by a trolley who's motorman seemed overtaken by the celebration.

The mood was one of acceptance of this nation that came to provide security. An expression of: Take note England ! If you don't recognize our need for protection we may turn our national security to our close friends the Americans.

The talk of secession was in the air.

America had become "Big Brother". With this, only two of the six British colliers showed up in Melbourne to partly show America the dependence it still had on Great Britain. Admiral Sperry had to purchase 16,000 tons of inferior Australian coal to get to the coaling station at Albany.

Cheers



Sean