Valparaiso
At 11:30 in the morning on 14 February the first signs of the Great White Fleet's approach to Valparaiso could be seen on the horizon from their thick dark plumes of smoke. The Fleet elegantly steamed in a single column with each ship flying Chile's flag. The above photograph, as well as the rest of the photos here are from the collection of William Gerald Child, Midshipman, on the USS Georgia.
Chile felt that the Fleet’s visit to Punta Arenas was not the “official” visit needed to recognize their nation. As the Fleet had already made a port call in Brazil and was planning a visit to Peru, in practical terms it would take time to extend recognition to the Chilean government by stopping in Valparaiso. Unfortunately, the Fleet was on a tight schedule and Admiral Evans felt no particular need to pay a cordial greeting to the city of Valparaiso.
The background to Admiral Evans decision is important because only fifteen years earlier in the same harbour a crewmember of the USS Baltimore had been killed by a mob attack. Angered the American government had asked for an explanation and reparations with regard to the incident. When none were forthcoming, Admiral Evans, then captain of the USS Yorktown steamed into the harbour threatening to use his main batteries on the city should swift and immediate actions not be taken by the Government of Chile. The settlement was made quickly avoiding the use of weapons but remained in the mind of Admiral Evans now commanding the Fleet.
As a compromise, instead of a port visit, it was decided the Fleet would sail into the harbour and provide the appropriate salute.
Franklin Mathews a reporter accompanying the Fleet reported as follows
“The sixteen battleships roared out a salvo such as no one in Chile had ever heard before. The effect of the thunder was electric. People on the shore were seen to jump and run. All along the shore line below Fort Valdivia they began to race back toward the city and harbor by the thousands. It was literally a stampede. Great clouds of dust engulfed them and partly hid them from view. It made those on the ships laugh.”
The crowds quickly recovered and settled in for a naval show of maneuvering and seamanship. As the battleships came abeam of President Montt's yacht, each vessel fired a 21-gun salute.
In the end Admiral Evans sent a message to the fleet:
"The Commander-in-Chief thanks the officers and men of the fleet for the handsome way in which they did the trick today."
Regards
Sean
