Dispatched sixteen U.S. Navy battleships of the Atlantic Fleet and their escorts, on a world-wide voyage of circumnavigation from December 16, 1907, to February 22, 1909. With their hulls painted white except for the gilded scrollwork with a red, white, and blue banner on their bows, these ships would later come to be known as the Great White Fleet. The scope of such an operation was unprecedented in U.S. history, as ships had to sail from all points of the compass to rendezvous points and proceed according to a carefully-orchestrated, well-thought out plan. It would involve almost the entire operational capability of the U.S. Navy.
The U.S. Navy commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Great White Fleet Oct. 7, in New York at Grand Central Terminal with the opening of an exhibit that will run through the 2008 Columbus Celebration ending Oct. 17.
The exhibit – which includes eight-foot models of battleships, artifacts, and memorabilia from Sailors aboard the ships and photo displays that tell the story of an American naval mission – highlights aid provided by ships of the Great White Fleet to Italy in 1908 following a devastating earthquake.
“This is a great opportunity not only to recognize the accomplishments of the Great White Fleet but to also highlight our continuing Navy and Marine Corps mission to help keep international waterways safe and to reach out to those in need,” said Rear Adm. Terence McKnight, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2.
Dispatched sixteen U.S. Navy battleships of the Atlantic Fleet and their escorts, on a world-wide voyage of circumnavigation from December 16, 1907, to February 22, 1909. With their hulls painted white except for the gilded scrollwork with a red, white, and blue banner on their bows, these ships would later come to be known as the Great White Fleet. The scope of such an operation was unprecedented in U.S. history, as ships had to sail from all points of the compass to rendezvous points and proceed according to a carefully-orchestrated, well-thought out plan. It would involve almost the entire operational capability of the U.S. Navy.
The U.S. Navy commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Great White Fleet Oct. 7, in New York at Grand Central Terminal with the opening of an exhibit that will run through the 2008 Columbus Celebration ending Oct. 17.
The exhibit – which includes eight-foot models of battleships, artifacts, and memorabilia from Sailors aboard the ships and photo displays that tell the story of an American naval mission – highlights aid provided by ships of the Great White Fleet to Italy in 1908 following a devastating earthquake.
“This is a great opportunity not only to recognize the accomplishments of the Great White Fleet but to also highlight our continuing Navy and Marine Corps mission to help keep international waterways safe and to reach out to those in need,” said Rear Adm. Terence McKnight, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2.
