The Flying Squadron at Melbourne
(From our own correspondent)
Wednesday, December 1

The news received by telegraph from the Otway, on Wednesday evening, that the Squadron was in sight, put the whole town in a flutter of excitement, and their arrival on the following day was anxiously looked for. The gale which came up about midnight of Wednesday, however, had an unlooked for effect on the plans of hundreds of people who had determined to take a trip down the Bay to meet the ships, and to enjoy the first of the spectacle. The small Bay steamers which had been advertised to take excursionists, kept snugly in their berths, and the few special reporters and others whose duties compelled them to face the heavy seas and brave the elements, were glad enough to get back again. The Geelong people were bent on having a good look at the fleet as they came into the Bay, and from 6 a.m. a crowd of vehicles was on the road to Queenscliff. A lookout was kept there throughout Thursday, but still there were no signs of the ships. The Geelongites were therefore obliged to return home in the evening without accomplishing the object of their journey. Friday morning came, and for a few hours after daylight the offing was clear; but at about half-past 9 some half-dozen sail began to loom up from the horizon, and it was soon discovered that the majority of them were her Majesty�s ships. After nearing the Heads they had to stand off again to take their pilots on board, and to wait for the flood, as the tide was then running out over the Rip. They kept in sight all the morning, and at about 2 o�clock, four of the vessels were seen making for the entrance, all under canvas.

The Admiral�s Flagship, the Liverpool, came in first, the others following in line. The Liverpool came close up to Queenscliff, and then hove to for the health officer to board her. The Admiral became responsible for the good health of the entire fleet, and as it was still blowing hard, the other three ships were telegraphed to pass on up the South Channel. The four ships turned out to be:- The Liverpool, under the command of Rear-Admiral Geoffrey T. P. Hornby, a screw steam frigate of 30 guns and 2656 tons. The Liffey, also a 30 gun screw steam frigate of 2654 tons, commandeered by Captain Robert W Gibson; the Phoebe, another 30 gun screw steam frigate of 2896 tons, under Captain John Bytheaca; and the screw steam corvette, Barossa, of 17 guns, and 1700 tons burthen, under Captain Hy. Head. The frigates have each the usual white line and black ports, but the Barossa is entirely black. She is, however, a beautiful craft, and is said to be the smartest sailing vessel in the fleet. By the time the Barossa had reached the entrance to the South Channel, where the Admiral�s ship was lying-to, the doctor�s boat had left the latter, and she again made sail, overtaking the others as they proceeded up to Hobson�s bay, which they reached soon after 6 o�clock, and where they anchored under a salute of 11 guns from HMS Nelson, which was responded to by 7 guns from the Liverpool.

The weather was so unpropitious when the fleet arrived that there were but few people comparatively to see them anchor. It appeared that the Endymion had got away from the rest of the fleet some days before they arrived off this port, and had only been seen once by the Scylla. The Admiral, however considered it unnecessary to remain longer outside, and he gave orders for the Scylla to cruise about the channel, and pick up the missing ship. The Scylla was under the sailing orders of an officer who had been for some years on this coast, and knew the harbour well. A look-out was kept for the two ships on Saturday, but they were not seen until after the middle of the day on Sunday, when about 3 o�clock they came up to the pilot ground. The crowd of merchant ships which had been coming in, in addition to several preparing to go out, had given full occupation to the pilots that the last of them had been taken off the Pilot boat outside the Rip when the two ships came up. A small boat put out, however, with two pilots aboard, and by 4 o�clock the Scylla and Endymion were through the Heads, and on the way to join the rest of the fleet which they reached about sunset.

The unwonted spectacle of seven ships of war (including the Nelson) lying at anchor off Williamstown keeps the bay and the pier alive with spectators and with officers and seamen going backwards and forwards between the ships and the shore. The streets are gay with uniforms, and the whole town and suburbs swarm with sailors, above a thousand of them at a time being on leave. Jack�s rollicking habits make him friends wherever he goes, and the landsmen are greatly amused at the way in which omnibuses and trains are rushed, and at the style of riding which the tars adopt.

It is scarcely necessary to say that the officers of the fleet are received everywhere with welcomes, and the fashionable world is all excitement with the public and private entertainments which are nightly taking place, and to which the gentlemen are invited. The officers on the other hand, from the Admiral downwards, are throwing open their ships to all visitors, and every party that boards them has a polite and attentive conductor to show them everything of interest aboard. Hundreds are daily thronging to the ships, but if they were thousands they would be welcomed just as cordially, and receive the same courteous attention.

On Monday his Excellency gave a grand ball at Toorak, which was attended by a large number of the officers and by the elite of Melbourne. Yesterday the members of the Ministry and some of the heads of the departments paid an official visit to Admiral Hornby, on board the Liverpool, and were most courteously received. In the evening the Admiral and his staff and a considerable number of the officers were entertained at dinner at the Melbourne Club, and afterwards the Fleet was largely represented at a Masonic Ball. Tomorrow the committee of the Melbourne private assemblies gives a complimentary ball to the officers. Friday is to be devoted to a picnic at Fern Tree Gully, which is to be a very stupendous affair. The Mayor gives the invitation, and the preparations are on a scale of magnitude never before dreamt of in these colonies. On Saturday, his Excellency the Governor pays his official visit to the Admiral, when there will be a naval review. Many of our intercolonial steamers will convey visitors down the bay, and the shores on both sides will doubtless be thronged. On Monday there is to be a grand ball in the Exhibition building. In the meantime, the dark blue set off with gold gives a colour to all the gathering of the people at places of public resort, and in the promenades of the city.

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