ALBANY is the host to American and Australian sailors this weekend as part of “The Great White Fleet” centenary celebrations organised by the Albany Port Authority.

The guided missile destroyer USS Shoup arrived in Albany yesterday along with the HMAS Darwin and HMAS Sirius.

The USS Shoup’s crew will join the RAN in a Freedom of Entry parade accompanied by the Royal Australian Navy Band on York Street from 1pm on Friday.

During their stay, sailors from both nations will assist with maintenance of naval displays at the Princess Royal Fortress on Mt Adelaide and take part in a community sports afternoon.

The Shoup and Darwin will be open for visitors during the Albany Port Authority Open Day from midday on Saturday.

The USS Shoup (DDG 86) with its complement of 380 officers and enlisted sailors, is the 36th ship in the Arleigh Burke class of Aegis guided missile destroyers.

The original Great White Fleet was sent around the world by President Theodore Roosevelt from December 16, 1907, to February 22, 1909.

It involved 16 new battleships from the Atlantic Fleet painted all white except for gilded scrollwork on their bows.

They were accompanied by five supply vessels.

US Ambassador Robert D. McCallum is also in Albany for the event.

He told Albany Senior High School students on Tuesday the Great White Fleet was one of the first steps in the development of Australia’s strong relationship with America.

He said officers who emerged from the 14,000 sailors in the fleet further developed that relationship while based in Australia during WWII.

Mr McCallum was impressed by the variety of subjects covered in questions from students after his address.

They ranged from the war in Iraq, the sub-prime mortgage crisis and America’s relationship with Russia.

Mr McCallum invited students to visit America where they would be welcomed with open arms.

A NEW season of community markets will get under way tomorrow as part of the Great White Fleet celebrations.

Kathy Griffiths has organised a community market in Alison Hartman Gardens to provide extra activity in the CBD during the Freedom of Entry parade by Australian and American naval personnel.

She already has a full commitment from Perth stall-holders and wants to hear from any locals wanting to take part.

Ms Griffiths can be contacted on 0429 985 110. She said she has plans in place for the garden markets to be operating during the visit of 14 cruise ships to Albany this summer.

The first four ships are expected in November.