Ahoy Shipmates

The Great White Fleet visit up and down the West Coast was one week shy of three months. That part of the cruise was like a constant party, with everyone, sailor and civilian alike, celebrating this great adventure. On July 7, the Fleet, now reassembled under Rear Admiral Charles Sperry, bid farewell to San Francisco and weighed anchor to continue its journey across the Pacific.

With the new found power in the Pacific extended to America from the outcome of the Spanish American War, the Russo-Japanese War, and the absence of the British fleet, the cruise now started its important mission of diplomacy.

Each port visit of this portion of the cruise was meant to establish, reinforce, or modify the relationship now in place with the United States.

Hawaii, the Fleet’s first stop, was delivered a vision of the future where Oahu would become the homeport of the Pacific Fleet based on the location of the islands and the excellent potential of Pearl Harbor.

New Zealand and Australia would receive the American Fleet as a new found benefactor to help protect them from Japanese invasion.

For Japan, the Fleet’s visit represented a seal of agreement for the two nations to be allowed to go their own ways. Unfortunately for China, and luckily for the Philippines, this involved the plans of expansion into both nations. For the sailors of the Fleet is was an exciting portion of the cruise when they were met by thousands of cheering people ready to show them a good time and welcome them into their communities.

Regards


Sean

Fordboy,

This post seems like a farewell post. Does this mean the great white fleet is done....... I have enjoyed all of your post and I'm copying and pasteing so I can read it as a whole (security officers have plenty of reading time)

HI Frank

Nope its not the end the Fleet has now left the West Coast of the US and is of across the Pacific.

Regards

Sean