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Photo # NH 82984-KN:  Postcard depicting the 'See the World' aspects of Navy life during the cruise of the 'Great White Fleet'.

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- The 1900s

World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet", December 1907 - February 1909
-- Overview and Special Image Selection

INTRODUCTORY TEXT STILL TO BE PREPARED.


This page features a historical overview and special image selection concerning the December 1907 - February 1909 World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet".
Note:
The pictures presented on this page were choses from the more comprehensive coverage featured in the pages listed directly below, and from those linked from them:

For more pictorial coverage related to the "Great White Fleet", see:

  • Voyage from Hampton Roads, Virginia, to Magdalena Bay, Mexico, December 1907 -- April 1908:
  • -- Preparations for the Cruise;
  • -- Departure, December 1907;
  • -- Visits to Trinidad and Brazil, December 1907 - January 1908;
  • -- From Atlantic to Pacific, January - February 1908;
  • -- Visit to Peru, February 1908;
  • -- Visit to Magdalena Bay, Mexico, March - April 1908;
  • Visit to the U.S. West Coast, 11 April -- 7 July 1908:
  • -- Visit to Southern California, April - May 1908;
  • -- Visit to San Francisco Bay, California, May 1908;
  • -- Visits to the Pacific Northwest and Preparations for Crossing the Pacific, May-July 1908.
  • Voyage across the Pacific to New Zealand, 7 July -- 15 August 1908:
  • -- Visits to Hawaii and Samoa, July - August 1908;
  • -- Visit to New Zealand, August 1908;
  • Visit to Australia, 15 August -- 19 September 1908:
  • -- Visit to Sydney, Australia, August 1908;
  • -- Visits to Melbourne and Albany, Australia, August - September 1908;
  • -- Visit to Australia -- Miscellaneous Views;
  • Visits to the Philippines, Japan, and China, 19 September -- 1 December 1908:
  • -- Passing Zamboanga, Philippine Islands, September 1908;
  • -- Visits to Manila, Philippine Islands, October - December 1908;
  • -- Visit to Japan, October 1908;
  • -- Visit to Amoy, China, October - November 1908;
  • Visits to Ceylon, the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea, 1 December 1908 -- 6 February 1909:
  • -- Visit to Ceylon, December 1908;
  • -- Suez Canal Transit and Visit to Egypt, January 1909;
  • -- Visits in the Mediterranean, January - February 1909;
  • -- Earthquake at Messina, Sicily, 28 December 1908;
  • Return to Hampton Roads, Virginia, 6 February -- 22 February 1909:
  • -- Homecoming, February 1909.
  • Miscellaneous Subjects:
  • World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet" -- Commanders;
  • World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet" -- Ships;
  • World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet" -- Ship Formation and Group Views;
  • World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet" -- Ships Steaming in Heavy Weather;
  • World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet" -- Shipboard Activities;
  • World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet" -- Miscellaneous Images;.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 100349

    USS Connecticut
    (Battleship # 18)

    Leading the Atlantic Fleet's battleships out of Hampton Roads, Virginia, probably at the start of the "Great White Fleet" cruise around the World in December 1907.
    Photo printed on a stereograph card, copyrighted by Underwood & Underwood.

    Donation of Louis Smaus, 1985

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 85KB; 635 x 675 pixels

    A stereo pair version of this image is available as Photo # NH 100349-A

    Online Image of stereo pair: 60KB; 675 x 350 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 95513-KN (color)

    "The Great White Fleet"

    Painting by John Charles Roach, 1984, depicting U.S. Atlantic Fleet battleships steaming at sea during their 1907-1909 World cruise.

    Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 83KB; 900 x 465 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 85216-KN (Color)

    Great White Fleet at Sea, the Second Squadron, Dec. 1907

    Painting by Henry Reuterdahl, depicting Rear Admiral Charles M. Thomas on board USS Minnesota (Battleship # 22) during the Atlantic Fleet's cruise around the World. The artist has inscribed the work to Rear Admiral Thomas.

    Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC.
    Donation of Miss Ruth Thomas.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 115KB; 740 x 595 pixels

     
    Photo #: KN-10857 (Color)

    "United States Fleet in the Straits of Magellan, the Morning of February 8, 1908"

    Oil on canvas, 40" by 67", by Henry Reuterdahl (1871-1925), signed and dated by the artist, 1910.

    Painting in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum Collection. Gift of Mrs. William S. Sims, 1950.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

    Online Image: 119KB; 900 x 655 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-KN-10857

     
    Photo #: NH 60991

    USS Connecticut
    (Battleship # 18)

    Crewmen of one of the ship's seven-inch broadside guns pose with their target, following gunnery practice during the "Great White Fleet" World cruise, 1908.

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright, Jr., USN, 1928.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 125KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 105310

    Naval Review in San Francisco Bay, 17 May 1908


    Panoramic photograph by the Pillsbury Picture Company, showing the review of the "Great White Fleet" by Secretary of the Navy Victor A. Metcalf, embarked in USS Yorktown (Gunboat # 1), which is steaming toward the left in the right center of the image.
    Three destroyers are in the line nearest to the camera (from left to center), with either USS Hopkins or USS Hull in the center and USS Lawrence next astern.
    Eleven battleships are present, in the rows on the opposite side of Yorktown's course, and seven Pacific Fleet armored cruisers are in the most distant row.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image size: 155KB; 2000 x 485 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 92093

    World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet", 1907-1909


    Crew members of USS Maine (Battleship # 10) parade through San Francisco, California, during the U.S. Atlantic Fleet's visit to that city in May 1908.
    The Hall of Records building is in the left distance. Note the flag bearing the ship's name in the left center foreground, and souvenirs offered for sale in nearby shops.

    Collection of Roy D. France.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 171KB; 1200 x 560 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 82985-KN (color)

    World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet", 1907-1909

    Battleships of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet entering Sydney Harbor, Australia, 20 August 1908.
    Hand-colored photograph, printed on a postcard.

    Courtesy of Mrs. Ruth Mayfield, 1973.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 61KB; 740 x 470 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 100754-KN (color)

    World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet", 1907-1909

    Temporary arch erected in Manila, The Philippines, welcoming the U.S. Atlantic Fleet to that city, circa October 1908.
    Color-tinted photograph, published on a postcard by H.H. Stratton, Chattanooga, Tennessee
    Courtesy of Carter Rila, 1986.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 109KB; 740 x 505 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53218

    USS Wisconsin
    (Battleship # 9)

    In a China Sea typhoon during the World cruise of the "Great White Fleet", 1908.
    Note: Though the photograph's inscription identifies this ship as USS Illinois (Battleship # 7), the configuration of her masts shows that she is actually Wisconsin.

    Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1967.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 455 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 1567

    World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet", 1907-1909


    Landing of the first liberty party from the fleet during its visit to Yokohama, Japan, circa mid-October 1908.
    Note the well-decorated parade route, and small Japanese and U.S. flags carried by Sailors and spectators.

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright, USN, 1928.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 144KB; 900 x 665 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101495

    World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet", 1907-1909


    Three Sailors pose atop camels at the base of the Sphinx, during the U.S. Atlantic Fleet's visit to Egypt, circa 4 January 1909.
    Note fezzes worn by two dismounted Sailors, and the pyramid in the left distance.

    Collection of Chief Quartermaster John Harold.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 450 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 1836

    President Theodore Roosevelt

    (standing on 12" gun turret at right)

    Addresses officers and crewmen on the after deck of USS Connecticut (Battleship # 18), in Hampton Roads, Virginia, upon her return from the Atlantic Fleet's cruise around the World, 22 February 1909.

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright, Jr., USN, 1926.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 139KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 82984-KN (color)

    World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet", 1907-1909

    "Flying a 'homeward-bound' pennant." -- colored postcard, published by the Middleton Company, Middleton, Connecticut, providing a cartoon depiction of "See the World" aspects of Navy life during the Atlantic Fleet's cruise around the World.
    Note the ultra-long ribbon flying out from this Sailor's "Flat Hat".

    Courtesy of Mrs. Ruth Mayfield, 1973.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 130KB; 480 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 76542-KN (Color)

    Embroidered silk souvenir of the Great White Fleet's 1907-1909 cruise around the World

    Probably purchased while the Fleet was visiting the Far East in 1908. Across its center are portraits of (from left to right) Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry, who took command of the Fleet after it arrived on the U.S. West Coast; President Theodore Roosevelt; and Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans, who commanded the Fleet during its voyage from Virginia to California. Also featured is a depiction of the Fleet steaming in column and a photograph of an unidentified Sailor.

    Donation of Mrs. C.G. O'Fiel, 1972.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 132KB; 440 x 765 pixels

     


    For more pictorial coverage related to the "Great White Fleet", see:

  • Voyage from Hampton Roads, Virginia, to Magdalena Bay, Mexico, December 1907 -- April 1908:
  • -- Preparations for the Cruise;
  • -- Departure, December 1907;
  • -- Visits to Trinidad and Brazil, December 1907 - January 1908;
  • -- From Atlantic to Pacific, January - February 1908;
  • -- Visit to Peru, February 1908;
  • -- Visit to Magdalena Bay, Mexico, March - April 1908;
  • Visit to the U.S. West Coast, 11 April -- 7 July 1908:
  • -- Visit to Southern California, April - May 1908;
  • -- Visit to San Francisco Bay, California, May 1908;
  • -- Visits to the Pacific Northwest and Preparations for Crossing the Pacific, May-July 1908.
  • Voyage across the Pacific to New Zealand, 7 July -- 15 August 1908:
  • -- Visits to Hawaii and Samoa, July - August 1908;
  • -- Visit to New Zealand, August 1908;
  • Visit to Australia, 15 August -- 19 September 1908:
  • -- Visit to Sydney, Australia, August 1908;
  • -- Visits to Melbourne and Albany, Australia, August - September 1908;
  • -- Visit to Australia -- Miscellaneous Views;
  • Visits to the Philippines, Japan, and China, 19 September -- 1 December 1908:
  • -- Passing Zamboanga, Philippine Islands, September 1908;
  • -- Visits to Manila, Philippine Islands, October - December 1908;
  • -- Visit to Japan, October 1908;
  • -- Visit to Amoy, China, October - November 1908;
  • Visits to Ceylon, the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea, 1 December 1908 -- 6 February 1909:
  • -- Visit to Ceylon, December 1908;
  • -- Suez Canal Transit and Visit to Egypt, January 1909;
  • -- Visits in the Mediterranean, January - February 1909;
  • -- Earthquake at Messina, Sicily, 28 December 1908;
  • Return to Hampton Roads, Virginia, 6 February -- 22 February 1909:
  • -- Homecoming, February 1909.
  • Miscellaneous Subjects:
  • World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet" -- Commanders;
  • World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet" -- Ships;
  • World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet" -- Ship Formation and Group Views;
  • World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet" -- Ships Steaming in Heavy Weather;
  • World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet" -- Shipboard Activities;
  • World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet" -- Miscellaneous Images;.


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 4 August 2008
    Coding updated 13 April 2009