Ahoy Shipmates

Just a little background whilst the Fleet were practicing in Magdalena Bay California's coastal cities were trying everything in their power to get the Fleet into their respective ports. Ulysses S. Grant Jr., a noted citizen of San Diego, went so far as to write to President Roosevelt to request that the Fleet steam directly into San Diego harbour instead of anchoring at Coronado.

The President took this request under consideration and contacted the Navy Department about the possibility. Word came back that, should the Fleet attempt anchoring in San Diego harbor, there was a good chance that the ships would remain permanently mired in the mud. Thus, Grant and his fellow San Diegans had to be content with greeting the Fleet at Coronado.

When the Fleet pulled in on April 14, the sailors were greeted by thousands of enthusiastic residents as the great ships anchored off the Hotel del Coronado. Small boats of all descriptions surrounded the warships, and sailors were pelted with blossoms by "Flower Committees" and filled to capacity with free lemonade by "Fruit Committees." For the next four days, San Diego celebrated, and the Great White Fleet sailors were given the royal treatment that ended only with the Fleet's departure for Los Angeles on April 18.

Regards


Sean