Ahoy Shipmates

The Great White Fleet?

Let’s define quickly what we are talking about.

The name “The Great White Fleet” was given in 1907 to four squadrons comprising of sixteen United States Navy battleships, their escorts and support vessels. It was a vast endeavor involving the four squadrons of ships in addition to 14,000 sailors and marines.

Why the reference to “White”?

Well with their hulls painted completely white except for the gilded scrollwork with a red, white and blue banner on their bows these ships quickly became known as The Great White Fleet.
Upon their return the ships were returned to a more appropriate naval grey colour.

This fleet embarked on a naval operation the scale of which had never been attempted before - the first around the world cruise by a fleet of steam powered steel battleships.

The planned cruise was to cover 43,000 miles in fourteen months (16 December 1907 to February 1909) and to include calling at twenty separate ports on six continents.

Many experts have tendered the opinion that it as one of the greatest peacetime achievements of the US Navy.

What was the whole idea behind this vast undertaking?

In brief the idea was to demonstrate American military power and blue water capability. There is more to come as regards an in depth discussion on this very interesting topic.

Before you dismiss this adventure as humdrum just remember we are talking about 1907.

The next instalment will be the background to the decision of dispatching this fine collection of men and ships.

Regards


Sean

Very nice Sean. I'm going to enjoy reading these.

Gator

Thanks Kenny

I am really glad you are enjoying it thus far.

I have enjoyed researching this cruise and putting together the information.

Plenty more good stuff to come.

Things will start building to 16 December and a few photos are going to flow shortly.

Some of the instalments will be short and succint (well I keep promising that) but long or short winded I assure you that each instalment will be pertinent and very interesting.

Regards


Sean

Captured my interest straight away fellow Kiwi far from Humdrum, and I never knew of this visit to Aucland. Hell yes, the expense and logistics of this execise are staggering but then logistics and and a strong capital base are the backbone of the American Forces

Great work, Sean, Thanks for the effort!

With Ken and yourself working on Naval History projects, "The Chartroom" should quickly become a fantastic reference tool, as well as the perfect spot to get your questions answered! (Hopefully! )
As a History major myself (many years ago!!!) I really can appreciate the importance of re-telling the story. . .thanks again!
~Gunny

This will be a nice companion read to the ISW 1/350 USS Illinois that I'm currently working on (among other things).

On minor point...in your post, you said:

Upon their return the ships were returned to a more appropriate naval grey colour

USN ships were commonly white and buff from the 1880's through 1907. It was after the GWF returned that they started to upgrade the newer ships, and also paint the fleet into grey.

Hi Martin

Thanks for the post.

I am glad my shipmates are getting some value out of the instalments.

Thank you for highlighting that issue it was a genuine oversight on my part. You are of course entirely correct on this point. I am glad someone with more naval history knowledge is reading these closely.

Upon the Great White Fleet returning one of the recommendations of Rear Admiral Charles S. Perry was that the ships of the Navy should have their coloration changed from white to grey. This was as I understand something naval officers had been recommending for years.

It was felt that Navy ships should not be in "holiday colors" going into battle. I love that phrase "holiday colors".

We will learn a bit more about the USS Illinois BB-7 under the command of Captain Ten Eyck De Witt Vedder (I hope those details are correct) real soon so hang in there Martin. I am hoping someone like yourself can add to the discussion on this ship.

Regards


Sean

Thanks for starting this ball rolling Sean. I only saw this thread after I saw you posted installment 2. I think this is going to be a very interesting series.

One thing that comes to my mind when thinking about this fleet is I'm not sure that everybody is fully aware of the implications on these ships being COAL fired. That means two major things. One, they had to refuel nearly every, if not every stop along the way. That means really back breaking labor for a good part of the crew. The other thing is that coal firing is VERY messy. Every report I have read from the coal era mentions how coaling made a mess of every nook and cranny on the ship. It must have taken some real effort on the part of the ship's crews to maintain that white paint so that the ships could be shown off to visiting dignitaries.

Keep up the great work.

Hi Rodger

You are so right about the implications of the coal power.

Something I will zero on as the series goes along.

I value your feedback and I am glad you are enjoying things thus far.

Regards

Sean