The American Great White Fleet Voyage 1908-09
Introduction
The Great White Fleet was the popular nickname for the powerful Naval battle fleet that completed a journey around the globe from 16 December 1907, to 22 February 1909, by order of United States President Theodore Roosevelt. Its mission was to make friendly courtesy visits to numerous countries, while displaying America’s new naval power to the world.
Since Japan had arisen as a major sea power with the 1905 annihilation of the Russian fleet at Tsushima, the deployment of the Great White Fleet was therefore intended, at least in part, to send a message to Tokyo that the American fleet could be deployed anywhere, even from its Atlantic ports, and would be able to defend American interests in the Philippines and the Pacific.
My interest in The Great White Fleet started because it has a connection with my family. My Great Grandfather, Campbell Johnstone, and his three brothers were a tug-of-war team. The Great White Fleet had a tug of war team which had not been defeated until it met the Johnstone Brothers. The four brothers were very large men, solidly built, and tall with it.
Awards
Sharjah 2023: 85 points, Large Vermeil
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