Ahoy Shipmates

I was recently confronted with the front page headline in my local newspaper “US plans to invade NZ”. I won’t set out here what my initial reaction was but after reading the first paragraph I soon realized it was relating to a recently released and declassified US Navy report from the 1907 to 1908 era and the visit of The Great White Fleet to our fine shores.

As a result of this article and a further follow up article in a local internet magazine Net Guide (which by the way I understand that a fellow Armorama member is its Art Director) I become aware of The Great White Fleet and its visit to Auckland, New Zealand my home town.

I looked out my window over the calm glistening waters of the Waitemata Harbour (Auckland Harbour) and pictured myself in 1908 looking out over 16 mighty American coal powered ships (plus others) entering the harbour in S formation, painted white, flags flying, decks lined with sailors and their huge guns glistening in the sun. Even now it would be a truly awesome site imagine what it must have been to all of the folks in little old New Zealand in 1908.

After being inspired by the Leyte Campaign information presented by Gator (Kenny) I decided to post something similar not to compliment or to promote a campaign but purely as an information exercise in naval history. I have found my own journey of gathering information on this topic absolutely fascinating and I am hoping that I can share this with others here and hope you all find it just as interesting. I have gathered information from various sources and I will ensure I credit those sources accordingly.

I will admit right now that I am neither a literary genius nor a naval historian.

I am hoping to impart to you some of the information and my enthusiasm in relation to this whole episode in both Naval and World History. The real personal catch and catalyst for me was the Fleets visit to Auckland, New Zealand.

Many of you probably already know all about this topic and some may not.

What is fascinating to me is the turbulent period of history prior to World War 1 and the politics and personalities involved which created what too many was one of the biggest naval PR publicity shows ever undertaken.

My proposal is to commence a number of weekly instalments as regards the Fleet starting on the Fleets 99th anniversary of 16 December 2006 and concluding on the 100th anniversary in 16 December 2007.

The instalments will cover each port visited over a matching time line to closely correspond with the actual fleets activities, the personalities and ships involved.

I hope over time you one and all find this in of real benefit.

Each instalment is to be ideally brief, succinct and easily digestible.

Between now and the 16th of December being the first instalment of the adventure I will set out right here the background to the Great White Fleet.

There is no need at this point for you to rush out and find out more about The Great White Fleet via books or the internet all will be revealed (hopefully) right here. This is just the first “teaser” and to create curiosity and interest.

Contributions and discussion will of course be welcomed and fully encouraged.

So you ask yourself what is this crazy Kiwi from Downunder going on about well as they say “watch this space all will be revealed”.


Regards


Sean

This is probably an Aussie saying, which is as close as most Yanks can come to Kiwi, but Good on Yer Sean. I look forward to reading your posts on this subject. BTW I'm VERY envious of your ability to look out your window at your harbour. Living in land locked Colorado has some great benefits, but I do miss the ocean from growing up in Southern California. If I could have afforded a ocean view from there I might never have left.

Hmmm. . .
Sounds very interesting, Sean. . .this will make a welcome thread in "The Chartroom", hopefully with lots of discussion. . .have a talk with Kenny (Gator) Loup, forum mod, to see about setting up your post in a "sticky note" type thread, so it's up top and you don't have to search the forums for it.

Sean, consider it sticky.



Be careful what you wish for Rodger. :-) September of last year when a gal named Rita was visiting, I may have taken you up on that!

Gator