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100 years ago this month, the Great White Fleet sailed into San Francisco, roughly five months into a 14 month voyage around the world. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, “perhaps a million people saw the fleet steam (under) the Golden Gate,” when it entered the bay.

We’ve all heard of the Great White Fleet, but do we really know its story?

The sixteen battleships that comprised the Great White Fleet had all been commissioned since the conclusion of the Spanish American War in 1898. Because of that war, the United States found itself in possession of Guam and the Philippines with little capability to defend them. The Japanese had an interest in the Philippines too, and tensions were rising. It was to improve relations with Japan that Teddy Roosevelt sent the Great White Fleet on its voyage from Hampton Roads. Its less than subtle message was that the United States could become a Pacific power if the need arose.

The voyage was an incredible success, drawing millions of onlookers during its journey. The awesome might of the U.S. Navy was evident every time the fleet pulled into a port, proclaiming to the world that the United States had become a global power.

What you don’t hear are the stories, and there are tons of them. In a delightful article written for the Naval Historical Center, JO2 [Journalist Second Class] Mike McKinley tells the tales as remembered by those who sailed with the fleet. I’ll bet you didn’t know:

12,000 of the 14,000 Sailors were wogs until the fleet crossed the equator on the way to Brazil.

USS WISCONSIN (BB-9) Sailors Crossing the Line (U.S. Navy)

Bar brawl in Rio

The good will tour was nearly derailed early in the cruise, during its port visit in Rio De Janeiro. According to JO2 McKinley, “It all began in one of Rio’s rowdier drinking establishments when two local longshoremen got into an argument. In expressing his particular point of view, one of the longshoremen threw a beer bottle at the other. The bottle missed its intended target and continued its flight across the smoke-filled room. At the bar, a group of White Fleet sailors were enjoying a brew and good conversation when the wayward bottle found a target - a sailor from Louisiana. The rest is right out of a Hollywood movie. Sailors rallied around the victim, the longshoremen called up their reserves and the battle was joined.

“When the shore patrol arrived, the donnybrook had flowed out into the street, as longshoremen and sailors threw rocks and bricks at each other. Shore patrol and local police brought about order, separated the combatants, and escorted the sailors back to their ships.” Luckily, the local authorities agreed that the American Sailors were not to blame, and the festivities continued.

Cannibalism!

Because the Panama Canal wasn’t yet completed (1914), the fleet sailed around South America, entering the Pacific through the Strait of Magellan. McKinley writes, “There, rumor had it, massive whirlpools could twist a ship completely around. Winds, known as wiliwaws, were said to be so wild that ships would be dashed to pieces on the rocky shores of such nightmarishly labeled places as Delusion Bay, Desolation Island, Point Famine and Dislocation Point, all inhabited by cannibals, of course. One newspaper in California, the Sacramento Union, prophesied shipwreck and cannibalism should the White Fleet attempt the Straits. ‘We don’t want our Jackies eaten by terrible Tierra del Fuegans,’ wrote the editor.” (The transit was accomplished without incident.)

The fleet proceeded north to visit ports along the west coast of South and North America, then headed west to Hawaii and Australia.

Kangaroo mascot presented to USS CONNECTICUT (BB-18) in Sydney (U.S. Navy)

In September the fleet headed north to the Philippines then toward Japan, battling through a typhoon enroute. And on October 18th, it sailed into Yokohama harbor. Admiral Sperry issued stern warnings to behave - the diplomatic stakes were high.

BANZAI!

But it was Sperry who almost blew it. McKinley describes the scene: “During a champagne party aboard the Japanese battleship Nikasa, Sperry suffered an indignity, albeit unintended by his Japanese navy hosts. It occurred when a group of exuberant Imperial Navy cadets suddenly picked up Sperry and hurled him into the air three times, shouting ‘Banzai!’ with each liftoff. In Japanese naval circles, the Banzai cheer and tossing were considered tributes. This was explained to a ruffled Sperry after he was placed back on the deck, gasping and trying to straighten out his twisted sash, dislocated sword and wrinkled uniform. Sperry accepted the tribute as graciously as possible under the circumstances.”

Nevertheless, the Americans were toasted and honored by the Japanese. Its primary mission a success, the fleet sailed for China.

Loss of face

“After Japan, half the fleet steamed back to Manila for a month’s gunnery practice and the other eight ships set course for the Formosa Straits and the Chinese island of Amoy. The Peking government was prepared to welcome 16 battleships, but when only eight arrived, the local officials were a little disappointed and embarrassed. Though this slight was due to operational requirements and unintentional on the fleet’s part, it did contribute to the peculiar funk known to the Chinese as ‘losing face.’ But Peking rallied, and in order to ’save face,’ told the people that the rest of the fleet was lost in a typhoon.”

Lipton Tea

Leaving China, they sailed through the Indian Ocean, visiting Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and being treated to “complimentary tea from none other than Sir Thomas Lipton, a man whose familiar face, even today, adorns boxes of tea bags found in supermarkets throughout the United States.” (NHC)

The battleships entered the Meditteranean via the Suez Canal and split up for awhile, some ships visiting Sicily to provide aid after a devastating earthquake. On February 6, 1909 the fleet regrouped at Gibraltar and headed for home.

The Great White Fleet ended its journey on February 22, 1909 (Washington’s Birthday), by all accounts a tremendous success for American diplomacy and prestige around the world. President Roosevelt was there to greet the fleet. “With only two weeks left in the White House before turning over the reins of government to his successor, William Howard Taft, the return of the fleet and the success of its mission prompted Roosevelt to declare later that this cruise was ‘the most important service that I rendered for peace.’” (NHC)

Roosevelt was famous for saying, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” The Great White Fleet did just that.

(U.S. Navy)

For a great article about the Great White Fleet (plus more sea stories), read JO2 McKinley’s story for the Naval Historical Center.

San Francisco Chronicle article

When Veterans Retire

When a good Military Veteran leaves the “job” and retires to a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may have already retired, wonder. We wonder if he knows what they are leaving behind, because we already know. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times. We know that in the Military life there is a fellowship which lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet. We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is.

These are the burdens of the job. You will still look at people suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to ignore and always will look at the rest of the Military world with a respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing. Never think for one moment you are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the “job” and merely being allowed to leave “active” duty.

So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that “Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called children of God,” and you are still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known.

Civilian Friends vs. Veteran Friends

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you’re too busy to talk to them for a week.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time you met.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Have cried with you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it’s yours.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that’s what the crowd is doing.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Will kick the ass of the crowd that left you behind.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Are for life.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences…

VETERAN FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences no citizen could ever dream of…

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think you’ve had enough.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say, “You better drink the rest of that before you spill it!!” Then carry you home safely and put you to bed…

(USDA)

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