Circling the Globe: The Voyage of the Great White Fleet
December 16, 1907 - The Great White Fleet (right) departs on its around the world cruise. The brainchild of President Theodore Roosevelt, the Great White Fleet was intended to demonstrate the United State's growing naval capabilities and to spread goodwill around the globe. Initially led by Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans, command of the fleet passed to Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry after the former's retirement. Sailing from Hampton Roads, the fleet visited various ports in South America before arriving on the West Coast. Transiting the Pacific, the fleet called in New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, China and Japan. Turning west, Sperry stopped in Ceylon before passing through the Suez Canal and returning home via the Mediterranean. Arriving at Hampton Roads in February 1909, they were greeted by President Roosevelt who exclaimed, "Other nations may do what you have done, but they'll have to follow you."
Photograph Courtesy of the US Naval Historical Center
Comments
Good day, Mr. Hickman,
Robley D. Evans was indeed the first commander of the Great White Fleet. But he had a severe case of rheumatic gout. In fact so severe that by the time the fleet got to Magdalena Bay, he could no longer effect command. So Rear Admiral Charles M. Thomas, flag commander of Second Battleship Squadron, took over. But he was due to retire in October of that year, 1908. Plus he had a heart condition. So when the fleet arrived at San Francisco in May, Rear Admiral Charles Stillman Sperry was named third and final commander of the Great White Fleet. Unfortunately Admiral Thomas’s heart gave out and he died July 3, 1908.
Mark Albertson, author, “USS Connecticut: Constitution State Battleship” and “They’ll Have to Follow You! The Triumph of the Great White Fleet”