Great White Fleet
The Great White Fleet refers to a notable formation of U.S. naval ships that undertook a global circumnavigation from December 16, 1907, to February 22, 1909, under the directive of President Theodore Roosevelt. Comprising sixteen ships, characterized by their distinct white-painted hulls, the fleet traveled over 43,000 miles, making stops at twenty ports across six continents. This expedition was intended to showcase American naval power and foster diplomatic relations, particularly amid rising tensions with Japan due to anti-Japanese sentiment in the U.S. The fleet was received positively in Japan, which helped ease international tensions.
The journey also served as a practical exercise in naval readiness, allowing personnel to gain valuable experience in navigation and international contexts. Despite the impressive display, the ships were already considered obsolete by the time of the voyage, as advancements in ship technology had introduced more powerful dreadnoughts. Ultimately, the Great White Fleet's successful tour marked a significant moment in U.S. history, symbolizing the nation's emergence as a recognized global power just prior to Roosevelt's departure from office.
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Great White Fleet
The Great White Fleet is the nickname awarded to a fleet of US naval ships that circumnavigated the globe from December 16, 1907, to February 22, 1909, on the order of President Theodore Roosevelt. The fleet consisted of sixteen ships divided into two squadrons and earned its name from its white-painted hulls. Sailing more than 43,000 miles, the Great White Fleet made twenty ports of call on six continents.
Background
Following the Civil War (1861–1865), the US Navy received little attention or funding from Congress. However, by the 1880s, with antiquated US wooden ships showing clear inferiority to Europe’s steel vessels, Congress finally took notice and began appropriating funds for new battleships.
During Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency, the US Navy established the world’s second-most powerful fleet with more than forty large armored ships. They were surpassed only by England, which boasted a fleet of almost one hundred heavy ships. France and Germany also had significant fleets, though the formerly powerful navy of Russia had been depleted in a war against Japan.
Roosevelt, a strong proponent of the US Navy, served as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1897 to 1898. When he assumed the presidency in 1901, he had several motivations to continue to enhance and flaunt US power on the open waters, all of which fell under his primary goal of solidifying the security of the United States. In a speech to Congress in 1901, Roosevelt stated: “A good Navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace.”
Overview
Roosevelt ordered the Great White Fleet’s trip around the globe for several reasons. First, the president sought to demonstrate US naval power and prowess. Sent during a time of peace, the fleet delivered this message in a friendly and diplomatic manner. The ships’ hulls were painted bright white, the color of peacetime. The fleet usually stayed in port for around five to ten days and was often visited by leaders and heads of state. The impressive display of naval vessels successfully announced to the world the United States’ commitment to being a commanding global power.
Another reason Roosevelt ordered the Great White Fleet to set sail was to deter war with Japan. In 1907, tensions between the United States and Japan were high. There was growing anti-Japanese sentiment in the United States, especially on the West Coast, and Japan was angered by the treatment of Japanese immigrants. Military experts and diplomatic officials all warned that war with Japan was imminent. The Great White Fleet was Roosevelt’s way to show military strength as well as extend a peaceful hand in diplomacy. The Japanese welcomed the arrival of the fleet, which helped to ease tensions between the two countries.
Finally, the Great White Fleet’s journeys served as a test of US naval readiness and provided opportunities for its naval personnel to experience and study the waterways and the countries of the world. In the case of future conflict, the US Navy would have vast navigational, logistical, and cultural experiences on which to draw.
The Great White Fleet consisted of sixteen ships, manned by 14,000 seamen. The ships were broken into two squadrons of eight ships each, which were further divided into two divisions of four ships each. The fleet was also accompanied by an auxiliary fleet that included support ships for storage, maintenance, and hospital services.
The First Squadron, First Division consisted of the USS Connecticut (flagship), USS Kansas, USS Vermont, and USS Louisiana. The Second Division consisted of the USS Georgia, USS New Jersey, USS Rhode Island, and USS Virginia.
The Second Squadron, Third Division consisted of the USS Minnesota, USS Maine (replaced by the USS Nebraska), USS Missouri, and USS Ohio. The Fourth Division consisted of USS Alabama (replaced by the USS Wisconsin), USS Illinois, USS Kearsarge, and USS Kentucky.
Ironically, the ships of the Great White Fleet were obsolete by the time they set sail. All the battleships were pre-dreadnought ships. Ship design and technology were rapidly advancing, and the British built the first dreadnought in 1906. Dreadnoughts were equipped with an all-big-gun scheme and advanced steam propulsion, which made them far superior in speed and battle readiness to pre-dreadnought vessels. The US Navy was already fitting out its own dreadnoughts, which would soon replace the Great White Fleet battleships, all of which were decommissioned by the early 1920s.
The Great White Fleet set sail from Virginia’s Hampton Roads Port on December 16, 1907. The fleet arrived at the Port of Spain, Trinidad, on December 23. From there, the fleet made ports of call in Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Mexico before arriving in San Francisco on May 6, 1908. This leg of the journey covered 14,556 miles.
While in port at San Francisco, some changes were made to the squadrons. The USS Nebraska and USS Wisconsin replaced the USS Maine and USS Alabama, both of which were experiencing mechanical difficulties. In addition, the USS Minnesota became part of the First Squadron, First Division, and the USS Louisiana took its place as the flagship of the Second Squadron, Third Division.
After a two-month stay in port, the fleet departed on July 7 for Honolulu, Hawaii. From Honolulu, the next ports of call were in New Zealand, Australia (three ports), the Philippines, Japan, and China. The fleet arrived back in Manila, Philippines on October 31 (First Squadron) and November 7 (Second Squadron). This second leg of the journey covered 16,336 miles.
After a month’s stay in Manila, the Great White Fleet set out for Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). The final stops of the journey were Gibraltar and Egypt. The fleet arrived at Hampton Roads on February 22, 1909, covering 12,455 in the last leg of its travels and 43,337 miles in total.
The successful journey of the Great White Fleet was a crowning achievement for Roosevelt, who left office just two weeks after the fleet’s return. The fleet accomplished its mission of announcing to the world that the United States was now a world power.
Bibliography
“A Lasting Legacy: The Ships of the Great White Fleet.” History in Charts, 12 Mar. 2021. historyincharts.com/the-ships-of-the-great-white-fleet/. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.
“Great White Fleet.” Theodore Roosevelt Center, www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/Learn-About-TR/TR-Encyclopedia/War-and-Military-Affairs/Great-White-Fleet.aspx. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.
“Teddy Roosevelt and the Great White Fleet.” Osprey Publishing, 24 Sept. 2020, ospreypublishing.com/us/osprey-blog/2020/teddy-roosevelt-and-the-great-white-fleet/. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.
“The Great White Fleet.” Naval History and Heritage Command, 3 Jan. 2009, www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/the-great-white-fleet.html. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.
Uhlig, Jr., Frank. “The Great White Fleet.” American Heritage, Feb. 1964, www.americanheritage.com/great-white-fleet. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.