Editing Great White Fleet

{{Short description|US Navy battleships which circumnavigated the globe (1907–09)}}
{{For|the United Fruit Company's Great White Fleet|United Fruit Company#The Great White Fleet}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
[[File:Great white fleet map.svg|thumb|right|upright|350px|Map of the Great White Fleet's voyage (2009 political boundaries shown)]]
{{TRseries}}

The '''Great White Fleet''' was the popular nickname for the group of [[United States Navy]] [[battleship]]s that completed a journey around the globe from 16 December 1907, to 22 February 1909, by order of President [[Foreign policy of the Theodore Roosevelt administration|Theodore Roosevelt]]. It consisted of 16 battleships divided into two [[Squadron (naval)|squadrons]], along with various small escorts,<ref name="GWF-H-00">{{cite web |author=JO2 [Journalist Second Class] Mike McKinley |date=1 April 2013 |title=Cruise of the Great White Fleet |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/c/cruise-great-white-fleet-mckinley.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224101657/http://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/c/cruise-great-white-fleet-mckinley.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 February 2015 |access-date=11 November 2015 |publisher=[[Naval History and Heritage Command]]}}</ref><ref name="GWF-H-01">[https://web.archive.org/web/19990128142544/http://history.navy.mil/faqs/faq42-1.htm The Great White Fleet] by Department of the Navy – Naval History and Heritage Command [http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120204131704/http%3A//www%2Ehistory%2Enavy%2Emil/faqs/faq42%2D1%2Ehtm Archived copy] at the [[Library of Congress]] (4 February 2012).</ref> and earned its moniker for the stark white paint on its hulls.

The fleet's primary mission was to make friendly courtesy visits to numerous countries while displaying new U.S. naval power to the world; Roosevelt sought to demonstrate growing American military prowess and [[blue-water navy|blue-water naval]] capabilities. Another goal was to deter a threatened war with Japan amid growing tensions around 1900. The voyage helped familiarize the 14,500 officers and sailors with the logistical and planning needs for extended fleet action far from home.

After long neglecting the Navy, Congress started generous appropriations in the late 1880s. Beginning with just 90 small ships, over one-third of them wooden and obsolete, the Navy quickly added new steel fighting vessels. The fleet's [[capital ship]]s were already obsolete compared to the British [[dreadnought]]s in 1907. Nevertheless, it was by far the largest and most powerful fleet that had ever circled the globe; the mission was a success at home and in every country that was visited, including in Europe (which was visited only briefly).<ref>Robert W. Love Jr., ''History of the US Navy: Volume One 1775–1941'' (Stackpole, 1992) 1:434–56.</ref>

==Background and purpose==
[[File:PostcardUSSConnecticutBB18No1268.jpg|thumb|Flagship {{USS|Connecticut|BB-18|2}}: one of a set of commemorative postcards of the ships of the Great White Fleet]]
{{Further|Foreign policy of the Theodore Roosevelt administration#Troubled relations with Japan}}

United States President Theodore Roosevelt dispatched 16 U.S. Navy battleships of the [[Atlantic Fleet (United States)|Atlantic Fleet]] on a worldwide voyage of circumnavigation from 16 December 1907 to 22 February 1909.<ref name=GWF-H-00/><ref name=GWF-H-01/> The hulls were painted white, the Navy's peacetime color scheme, and decorated with gilded [[Scroll (art)|scrollwork]] with a red, white, and blue banner on their [[Bow (ship)|bows]]. The superstructures were painted [[Buff (colour)|buff]]. These ships later came to be known as the Great White Fleet.

The purpose of the fleet deployment was multifaceted. Ostensibly, it served as a showpiece of American goodwill, as the fleet visited numerous countries and harbors. In this, the voyage was not unprecedented. [[Courtesy call#Naval|Naval courtesy calls]], many times in conjunction with the birthdays of various monarchs and other foreign celebrations, had become common in the 19th century. Port calls showcased pomp, ceremony, and militarism during a period of rising prewar nationalism. In 1891, a large [[French Navy]] fleet visited [[Kronstadt]], [[Russian Empire|Russia]], in conjunction with negotiations between the two nations. Although [[French Third Republic|France]] and Russia had been hostile to each other for at least three decades prior, the significance of the call was not lost on Russia, and [[Tsar]] [[Nicholas II of Russia|Nicholas II]] signed a treaty of alliance with France in 1894. As navies grew larger, naval pageants grew longer, more elaborate, and more frequent. The United States began participating in these events in 1902, when Roosevelt invited [[Kaiser]] [[Wilhelm II of Germany]] to send a squadron for a courtesy call to New York City. Invitations for U.S. Navy ships to participate in fleet celebrations in the United Kingdom, France, and [[German Empire|Germany]] followed.{{sfn|Hart|1965|pp=15–21}}

Additionally, the voyage of the Great White Fleet demonstrated both at home and on the world stage that the U.S. had become a major sea power in the years after its triumph in the [[Spanish–American War]], with possessions that included [[Guam]], the [[Insular Government of the Philippine Islands|Philippines]], and [[Puerto Rico]].<ref name=GWF-H-03>[http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/battleswars1900s/p/greatwhitefleet.htm Circling the Globe: The Voyage of the Great White Fleet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514100002/http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/battleswars1900s/p/greatwhitefleet.htm |date=14 May 2013 }} by Kennedy Hickman, About.com</ref> This was not the first demonstration of U.S. naval power; during the [[Algeciras Conference]] in 1906, which was convened to settle a diplomatic crisis between France and Germany over the fate of [[Morocco]], Roosevelt had ordered eight battleships to maintain a presence in the [[Mediterranean|Mediterranean Sea]].{{sfn|Hart|1965|p=21}} Since [[Empire of Japan|Japan]] had arisen as a major sea power with the 1905 annihilation of the Russian fleet at [[Battle of Tsushima|Tsushima]], the deployment of the Great White Fleet was therefore intended, at least in part, to send a message to Japan 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.<ref name=peacefulsea>{{cite web |author=The Peaceful Sea |title=The Great White Fleet Visits Japan 1908 |url=http://www.thepeacefulsea.com/great-white-fleet.html |access-date=24 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Global Security Org |title=Great White Fleet (16 December 1907 – 22 February 1909) |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/great-white-fleet.htm |access-date=24 February 2011}}</ref>

The most serious tensions between the United States and Japan came in 1907, leading to widespread speculation among experts that war was imminent between the two. The main cause was intense Japanese resentment against the mistreatment of [[Japanese Americans]] in California. Pulitzer prize-winning biographer [[Henry Pringle]] states that sending Great White Fleet so dramatically to Japan in 1908 was, "the direct result of the Japanese trouble."<ref>Henry Pringle, ''Theodore Roosevelt'' (1956) p. 288.</ref> Tensions rapidly de-escalated after the fleet's very friendly reception in Yokohama.  Thus, the gesture neutralized the diplomatic trouble that had resulted from [[Pacific Coast race riots of 1907|anti-Japanese riots in San Francisco]]. Those problems had been resolved by the [[Gentlemen's Agreement of 1907]] and the fleet visit was a friendly gesture to Japan. The Japanese welcomed it.<ref>Charles E. Neu, ''An Uncertain Friendship; Theodore Roosevelt and Japan, 1906–1909'' (1968) pp. 116–22.</ref> Roosevelt saw the deployment as one that would encourage patriotism, and give the impression that he would teach Japan "a lesson in polite behavior", as historian Robert A. Hart phrased it.{{sfn|Hart|1965|p=24}}  After the fleet had crossed the Pacific, Japanese statesmen realized that the [[Balance of power (international relations)|balance of power]] in the East had changed.<ref name=peacefulsea/>

The voyage also provided an opportunity to improve the sea- and battle-worthiness of the fleet. While earlier capital-ship classes such as the {{sclass|Kearsarge|battleship|5}}, {{sclass|Illinois|battleship|5}} and {{sclass|Maine|battleship|5}} were designed primarily for coastal defense, later classes such as the {{sclass|Virginia|battleship|5}} and {{sclass|Connecticut|battleship|5}} incorporated lessons learned from the Spanish–American War and were conceived as ships with "the highest practicable speed and the greatest radius of action", in the words of the appropriation bills approved by the [[United States Congress]] for their construction. They were intended as modern warships capable of long-range operations. Nevertheless, the experience gained in the recent war with [[Restoration (Spain)|Spain]] had been limited.{{sfn|Crawford|2008|p=12}}

==Concerns and preparations==
Roosevelt's stated intent was to give the Navy practice in navigation, communication, coal consumption, and fleet maneuvering; Navy professionals maintained, however, that such matters could be served better in home waters. In light of [[Battle of Tsushima#Departure|what had happened to the Russian Baltic Fleet]], they were concerned about sending their own fleet on a long deployment, especially since part of the intent was to impress a modern, battle-tested navy that had not known defeat. The fleet was untested in making such a voyage, and Tsushima had proven that extended deployments had no place in practical strategy.{{sfn|Hart|1965|pp=23–24}} The [[Imperial Japanese Navy|Japanese Navy]] was close to coaling and repair facilities; while American ships could coal in the Philippines, docking facilities were far from optimal. An extended stop on the [[West Coast of the United States]] during the voyage for overhaul and refurbishment in dry dock would be a necessity. Planning for the voyage, however, showed a dearth of adequate facilities there, as well. The main sea channel of the [[Mare Island Naval Shipyard]] near [[San Francisco]] was too shallow for battleships, which left only the [[Puget Sound Navy Yard]] in [[Bremerton, Washington]], for refit and repair. The [[San Francisco Naval Shipyard|Hunter's Point civilian yard]] in San Francisco could accommodate capital ships, but had been closed due to lack of use and was slated for demolition. Roosevelt ordered that Hunter's Point be reopened, facilities be brought up to date, and the fleet to report there.{{sfn|Albertson|2007|pp=30–31}}

Also, the question of adequate resources for coaling existed. This was not an issue when the Atlantic Fleet cruised the Atlantic or Caribbean, as fuel supplies were readily available. However, the United States did not enjoy a worldwide network of [[coaling station]]s like that of Great Britain, nor did it have an adequate supply of [[auxiliary vessel]]s for resupply. During the Spanish–American War, this lack had forced Admiral [[George Dewey]] to buy a collier-load of British coal in [[Hong Kong]] before the [[Battle of Manila Bay]] to ensure his squadron would not run out of steam at sea. The need had been even more pressing for the Russian Baltic Fleet during its long deployment during the Russo-Japanese War, not just for the distance it was to steam, but also because, as a belligerent nation in wartime, most neutral ports were closed to it due to international law. While the lack of support vessels was pointed out and a vigorous program of building such ships suggested by Rear Admiral [[George W. Melville]], who had served as chief of the Bureau of Equipment, his words were not heeded adequately until World War II.{{sfn|Albertson|2007|pp=31–34}}

Federal regulations that restricted supply vessels for Navy ships to those flying the United States flag, complicated by the lack of an adequate [[United States Merchant Marine]], proved another obstacle. Roosevelt initially offered to award Navy supply contracts to American skippers whose bids exceeded those of foreign captains by less than 50%.<ref>James R. Reckner, ''Teddy Roosevelt's Great White Fleet'', 2001, p. 16</ref> Many carriers declined this offer because they could not obtain enough cargo to cover the cost of the return trip. Two months before the fleet sailed, Roosevelt ordered the Navy Department to contract 38 ships to supply the fleet with the 125,000 tons of coal it would need to steam from [[Hampton Roads]], Virginia, to San Francisco. Only eight of these were American-registered; most of the other 30 were of British registry. This development was potentially awkward, since part of the mission was to impress Japan with the perception of overwhelming American naval power. Britain had become a military ally of Japan in 1902 with the [[Anglo-Japanese Alliance]], which obliged it to aid Japan should a foreign power declare war against it. Technically, the list of potential combatants included the United States. The British government decided to play both sides of the political fence with the intent of moderating any Japanese-American friction that might arise.{{sfn|Albertson|2007|pp=34–35}}

Prior to the ships’ departure, Congress raised concerns about funding. According to the Naval Historical Center, Maine Senator [[Eugene Hale]] made his intention known to withhold funding for the effort. Roosevelt's response was that if Congress was unwilling to fund the trip, he already had the funds to send the fleet out into the Pacific.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=OVtFbZqPskgC&pg=PA37 The World Cruise of the Great White Fleet: Honoring 100 Years of Global Partnerships and Security], Naval Historical Center</ref> If Congress wanted the fleet to return home, though, they would have to fund the other half of the trip.<ref>[https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Great-White-Fleet-visited-S-F-100-years-ago-3216437.php Great White Fleet visited S.F. 100 years ago], "Congress had appropriated funds for half the voyage, but Roosevelt said he would send the fleet to the Pacific, and the politicians would have to put up the money if they wanted to get it back."</ref> As noted by Roosevelt biographer Edmund Morris, the President would not be deterred. He stated "I am Commander-in-Chief, and my decision is absolute in the matter."<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=O9r_p6Kbi24C&pg=PA502 Theodore Rex]</ref>

==Voyage==
[[File:Us-atlantic-fleet-1907.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Kansas|BB-21|2}} sails ahead of {{USS|Vermont|BB-20|2}} as the fleet leaves [[Hampton Roads]], [[Virginia]], on 16 December 1907.]]
[[File:Australia Welcomes the Fleets.jpg|thumb|A 1908 postcard welcomes the fleet to Australia.]]
[[File:Reuterdahl Fleet Passing Through Magellan Straits.jpg|thumb|''The Fleet Passing Through the Magellan Straits'' by naval artist [[Henry Reuterdahl]], who traveled with the fleet on USS ''Culgoa'']]

As the [[Panama Canal]] was not yet complete, the fleet had to pass through the [[Straits of Magellan]]. 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-conceived plan.<ref name="GWF-H-00" /> It involved almost the entire operational capability of the U.S. Navy. During the crossing of the Straits of Magellan, the U.S. ships were escorted by the [[Chilean Navy]] cruiser, [[Chilean cruiser Chacabuco (1898)|''Chacabuco'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/OnlineLibrary/photos/events/ev-1900s/gwf07-09/gwf-2c.htm|title=World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet", December 1907 - February 1909, From Atlantic to Pacific, January - February 1908|work=Department of the Navy, Naval History and Heritage Command|access-date=1 October 2022}}</ref>

Unlike the formidable obstacles that had faced the Russian fleet{{refn|The Russian fleet had no coaling stations and foreign coaling stations were off limits to them during their voyage. The fleet had to refuel at sea via German contractor coaling vessels or on the sly at French ports. (Busch 86, 87)|group=nb}} on its voyage from the [[Baltic Sea|Baltic]] to the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]], which eventually led to its destruction by the Japanese in 1905,<ref>Busch pp. 86, 87</ref><ref>Semenov pp. 16, 17</ref> the U.S. effort benefited from a peaceful environment, which aided the coordination of ship movements.

{{wide image|File:Fleet at Long Beach, California LCCN2007660457.tif|600px|A crowd observes the fleet off the coast of [[Long Beach, California]], 1908}}

After taking nearly four months to round South America, the fleet made several stops in American waters on the Pacific Ocean. In port after port, thousands of citizens turned out to see and greet the fleet. In April 1908, 16 battleships anchored off of [[Coronado, California]], in the [[San Diego]] area, and thousands of sailors and marines took part in a parade through San Diego's streets.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/150-years/sd-me-150-years-april-14-htmlstory.html#:~:text=Tuesday%2C%20April%2014%2C%201908,1909%20to%20demonstrate%20American%20seapower.|title=Great American Battleship Fleet Arrives Ahead of Time|date=14 April 1908|work=The Evening Tribune|publisher=San Diego Union-Tribune|access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> The fleet also stopped in [[Los Angeles]] and [[Santa Barbara, California|Santa Barbara]]. In May 1908, the fleet visited [[Monterey, California]]; the nearby [[Hotel Del Monte]] in [[Del Monte, California]], hosted a grand ball for the officers of the fleet. After arriving in San Francisco on 6 May, most of the fleet took a side trip to [[Seattle]] and [[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]], then returned to San Francisco.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://greatwhitefleet.us/home/cruise_itinerary/|title=Itinerary of the cruise|work=The Great White Fleet|access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/the-great-white-fleet/itinerary-of-the-great-white-fleet.html|title=Itinerary of the Great White Fleet|work=Naval History and Heritage Command|access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref>

On 7 July, the entire fleet left San Francisco for [[Honolulu]], [[New Zealand]], and [[Australia]]. In Australia, the arrival of the Great White Fleet on 20 August 1908 was used to encourage support for the forming of [[Royal Australian Navy|Australia's own navy]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Great White Fleet revisits Sydney Harbour |work=Afloat |pages=40 |publisher=Afloat Publications Pty Ltd |date=1 September 2008 }}</ref> In [[Sicily]], sailors helped in recovery operations after the [[1908 Messina earthquake]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Great White Fleet Assists Following Messina Earthquake |url=https://usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil/Recent/Article-View/Article/2686554/great-white-fleet-assists-following-messina-earthquake/http%3A%2F%2Fusnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil%2FRecent%2FArticle-View%2FArticle%2F2686554%2Fgreat-white-fleet-assists-following-messina-earthquake%2F |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=The Sextant |language=en-US }}{{Dead link|date=February 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Fleet composition==
[[File:President Theodore Roosevelt - NH 1836.jpg|thumb|President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] (on the {{convert|12|in|cm|adj=on}} gun turret at right) addressed officers and crewmen on {{USS|Connecticut|BB-18|2}}, in [[Hampton Roads, Virginia]], upon her return from the fleet's cruise around the world, 22 February 1909.]]

The 14-month-long voyage was intended to be a grand pageant of American naval power. The squadrons were manned by 14,000 sailors. They covered some {{convert|43000|nmi|km}} and made 20 port calls on six continents.<ref name="GWF-H-00" /> The fleet was impressive, especially as a demonstration of American industrial prowess (all 18 ships had been constructed since the Spanish–American War), but already the battleships represented the suddenly outdated [[Pre-dreadnought battleship|predreadnought]] type of capital ship, as the first battleships of the revolutionary {{sclass|Dreadnought|battleship|4}} had just entered service, and the U.S. Navy's first [[dreadnought]], {{USS|South Carolina|BB-26|2}}, was already fitting out. The two oldest ships in the fleet, {{USS|Kearsarge|BB-5|2}} and {{USS|Kentucky|BB-6|2}}, were already obsolete and unfit for battle; two others, {{USS|Maine|BB-10|2}} and {{USS|Alabama|BB-8|2}}, had to be detached at San Francisco because of mechanical troubles and were replaced by the {{USS|Nebraska|BB-14|2}} and the {{USS|Wisconsin|BB-9|2}}. After repairs, ''Alabama'' and ''Maine'' completed their "own, more direct, circumnavigation of the globe" via Honolulu, Guam, Manila, Singapore, Colombo, Suez, Naples, Gibraltar, the Azores, and finally back to the United States, arriving on 20 October 1908, four months before the remainder of the fleet, which had taken a more circuitous route.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alabama (BB 8)|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/us-navy-ships/battleships/alabama-bb-8.html|access-date=2021-02-13|website=NHHC|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Maine (BB 10)|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/us-navy-ships/battleships/maine-bb-10.html|access-date=2021-02-13|website=NHHC|language=en-US}}</ref>

The battleships were accompanied during the first leg of their voyage by a "Torpedo Flotilla" of six early [[destroyer]]s, and by several auxiliary ships. The destroyers and their tender did not actually steam in company with the battleships, but followed their own itinerary from Hampton Roads to San Francisco, California.<ref name="GWF-H-00" /> Also, the [[armored cruiser]] {{USS|Washington|ACR-11|2}} preceded the fleet itinerary for its first and second legs by about a month, perhaps making arrangements to later receive the fleet.<ref>{{Cite web|title=USS Washington / USS Seattle ARC 11|url=http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~cacunithistories/military/USS_Washington.html|access-date=2021-02-13|website=freepages.rootsweb.com}}</ref>

==General fleet itinerary==
[[File:Tr great white fleet from photo nh100349 USS Connecticut 1907.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Connecticut|BB-18|2}} leads the way for the Great White Fleet in 1907.]]
[[File:GreatWhiteFleet-arrives-LA-Harbor-1908.jpg|thumb|The Great White Fleet arriving to a crowd at the [[Port of Los Angeles]] in the [[San Pedro Bay (California)|San Pedro Bay]], 1908]]
[[File:Fleet Week In Auckland 1908.jpg|thumb|Fleet Week celebrations in [[Auckland]], New Zealand<ref>[http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/timeline&new_date=9/8 The US 'Great White Fleet' arrives in Auckland] (from the 'NZ History' website, retrieved 3 August 2007)</ref>]]

With {{USS|Connecticut|BB-18|2}}<ref name=GWF-H-04>[http://www.countyhistory.org/gwf/gwf/index.html Great White Fleet] USS Connecticut, Battleship BB-18</ref> as flagship under the command of Rear Admiral [[Robley D. Evans (admiral)|Robley D. Evans]], the fleet sailed from Hampton Roads on 16 December 1907 for [[Trinidad]], [[British West Indies]], thence to [[Rio de Janeiro]], Brazil; [[Punta Arenas, Chile|Punta Arenas]], Chile; [[Callao]], Peru; [[Magdalena Bay]], Mexico, and north along the West Coast, arriving at San Francisco on 6 May 1908.<ref name="For details see Hart, 1965">For details see Hart, (1965).</ref>

At San Francisco, Rear Admiral [[Charles S. Sperry]] assumed command of the fleet, owing to the poor health of Admiral Evans. Also at San Francisco, the squadrons were slightly rearranged, bringing the newest and best ships in the fleet up to the First Squadron. {{USS|Glacier|AF-4|2}} was detached and later became the supply ship of the Pacific Fleet. At this time also, ''Nebraska'', under Captain [[Reginald F. Nicholson]], and ''Wisconsin'', under Captain [[Frank E. Beatty]], were substituted for ''Maine'' and ''Alabama''. In San Francisco, {{USS|Minnesota|BB-22|2}} was brought forward into First Squadron, First Division, and {{USS|Louisiana|BB-19|2}} took her place as flagship, Second Squadron.

Leaving that port on 7 July 1908 the [[U.S. Atlantic Fleet]] <!--map shows another stop in Vancouver or Seattle; who's right?--> visited Honolulu; Auckland, New Zealand; [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], and [[Albany, Western Australia|Albany]], Australia; [[Manila]], Philippines; [[Yokohama]], Japan; and [[Colombo]], [[Ceylon]]; then arriving at [[Suez]], Egypt, on 3 January 1909.

While the fleet was in Egypt, word was received of [[1908 Messina earthquake|an earthquake]] in Sicily, thus affording an opportunity for the United States to show its friendship to Italy by offering aid to its victims. ''Connecticut'', {{USS|Illinois|BB-7|2}}, {{USS|Culgoa|AF-3|2}}, and {{USS|Yankton|1893|2}} were dispatched to [[Messina, Italy]], at once. The crew of ''Illinois'' recovered the bodies of the American consul, Arthur S. Cheney, and his wife, entombed in the ruins. {{USS|Scorpion|PY-3|2}}, the fleet's station ship at [[Constantinople]], and {{USS|Celtic|AF-2|2}}, a refrigerator ship fitted out in New York, were hurried to Messina, relieving ''Connecticut'' and ''Illinois'', so that they could continue on the cruise.<ref name=":0" />

Leaving Messina on 9 January 1909, the fleet stopped at [[Naples]], Italy,{{Citation needed|date=September 2019|reason=Not shown in the map, not cited elsewhere in this article}} thence to [[Gibraltar]], arriving at Hampton Roads on 22 February 1909. There, President Roosevelt reviewed the fleet as it passed into the [[roadstead]].<ref name="For details see Hart, 1965"/>

==First leg==
From Hampton Roads to San Francisco, {{convert|14556|nmi|km}}.<ref name="For details see Hart, 1965"/>

===Itinerary===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Port
! Arrival
! Departure
! Distance to next port
|-
| [[Hampton Roads, Virginia|Hampton Roads]], [[Virginia]]
| &nbsp;
| 16 December 1907
| {{convert|1803|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Port of Spain]], [[Trinidad]]
| 23 December 1907
| 29 December 1907
| {{convert|3399|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Rio de Janeiro]], [[First Brazilian Republic|Brazil]]
| 12 January 1908
| 21 January 1908
| {{convert|2374|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Punta Arenas]], [[Chile]]
| 1 February 1908
| 7 February 1908
| {{convert|2838|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Callao]], [[Peru]]
| 20 February 1908
| 29 February 1908
| {{convert|3010|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Magdalena Bay]], [[Porfiriato|Mexico]]
| 12 March 1908
| 11 April 1908
| {{convert|1132|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[San Francisco]], [[California]]
| 6 May 1908
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
|}
<!--Photo purports to show the fleet at Los Angeles; who's right??-->

===Ships===
The Fleet, First Squadron and First Division, were commanded by Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans.<ref name="For details see Crawford, 2008">For details see Crawford, (2008).</ref>
First Division consisted of four ships of the 1906 ''Connecticut'' class:
''Connecticut'', the fleet's flagship,
Captain [[Hugo Osterhaus]];
{{USS|Kansas|BB-21|2}},
Captain [[Charles E. Vreeland]];
{{USS|Vermont|BB-20|2}},
Captain [[William P. Potter]]; and
''Louisiana'',
Captain [[Richard Wainwright (Spanish–American War naval officer)|Richard Wainwright]].

Second Division was commanded by Rear Admiral William H. Emory.
Second Division consisted of four ships of the 1904 ''Virginia'' class:
{{USS|Georgia|BB-15|2}}, the division flagship,
Captain Henry McCrea;
{{USS|New Jersey|BB-16|2}},
Captain [[William Henry Hudson Southerland|William H. H. Southerland]];
{{USS|Rhode Island|BB-17|2}},
Captain [[Joseph B. Murdock]]; and
{{USS|Virginia|BB-13|2}},
Captain [[Seaton Schroeder]].

Second Squadron and Third Division were commanded by Rear Admiral [[Charles Mitchell Thomas|Charles M. Thomas]].
Third Division consisted of one ''Connecticut''-class ship and the three ships of the 1902 ''Maine'' class:
''Minnesota'', the squadron flagship,
Captain [[John Hubbard (admiral)|John Hubbard]];
''Maine'',
Captain [[Giles B. Harber]];
{{USS|Missouri|BB-11|2}},
Captain Greenlief A. Merriam; and
{{USS|Ohio|BB-12|2}},
Captain Charles W. Bartlett.

Fourth Division was commanded by Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry.
Fourth Division consisted of two ships of the 1901 ''Illinois'' class and the two 1900 ''Kearsarge'' class ships:
''Alabama'', the division flagship,
Captain Ten Eyck De Witt Veeder;
''Illinois'',
Captain [[John M. Bowyer]],
''Kearsarge'',
Captain Hamilton Hutchins; and
''Kentucky'',
Captain [[Walter C. Cowles]].

The fleet auxiliaries consisted of
''Culgoa'' (a storeship),
Lieutenant Commander John B. Patton;
''Glacier'' (a storeship),
Commander William S. Hogg;
{{USS|Panther|1889|2}} (a repair ship),
Commander Valentine S. Nelson;
''Yankton'' (a tender),
Lieutenant Walter R. Gherardi; and
{{USS|Relief|1896|2}} (a hospital ship).

The "Torpedo Flotilla" of destroyers consisted of
{{USS|Hopkins|DD-6|2}},
Lieutenant Alfred G. Howe;
{{USS|Stewart|DD-13|2}},
Lieutenant Julius F. Hellweg;
{{USS|Hull|DD-7|2}},
Lieutenant Frank McCommon;
{{USS|Truxton|DD-14|2}},
Lieutenant Charles S. Kerrick;
{{USS|Lawrence|DD-8|2}},
Lieutenant Ernest Friedrick;
{{USS|Whipple|DD-15|2}},
Lieutenant [[Hutchinson I. Cone|Hutch I. Cone]]; and
{{USS|Arethusa|AO-7|2}} (a tender),
Commander [[Albert W. Grant]].

==Second leg==

===Itinerary===
[[File:Seattle Great White Fleet Sign.jpg|thumb|400px| Historical marker in Seattle that notes the 1908 arrival of the Fleet.]]
[[File:Virginia (BB13). Fleet in San Francisco Harbor, Virginia bow on, 1908 - NARA - 512999.tif|thumb|The fleet in San Francisco: ''Virginia'' is closest to the camera, with the other ships anchored nearby.]] [[File:GWF Trinidad, CA 1908.jpg|thumb|Great White Fleet passing Trinidad Head, California 1908]]
The second leg of the voyage was from San Francisco to [[Puget Sound]] and back. On 23 May 1908 the 16 battleships of the Great White Fleet steamed into Puget Sound where they separated to visit six Washington state ports: [[Bellingham, Washington|Bellingham]], Bremerton, [[Port Angeles, Washington|Port Angeles]], [[Port Townsend, Washington|Port Townsend]], Seattle and Tacoma.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/gwf/pugetsound.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519181717/http://www.navy.mil/gwf/pugetsound.htm |title=The Great White Fleet – Puget Sound |work=navy.mil |archive-date=19 May 2015 |access-date=12 February 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The fleet arrived in Seattle on 23 May and departed 27 May 1908.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/TheWorldCruiseOfTheGreatWhiteFleet|page=[https://archive.org/details/TheWorldCruiseOfTheGreatWhiteFleet/page/n65 54]|quote=great white fleet May 27, 1908.|title=The World Cruise of the Great White Fleet: Honoring 100 Years of Global Partnerships and Security|year=2008|publisher=Government Printing Office|isbn=9780945274599|access-date=12 February 2017|via=Internet Archive}}</ref>

===Ships===
The Fleet, First Squadron, and First Division were commanded by Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry.<ref name="For details see Crawford, 2008"/>
First Division consisted of
''Connecticut'', the Fleet's flagship,
Captain Hugo Osterhaus;
''Kansas'',
Captain Charles E. Vreeland;
''Minnesota'',
Captain John Hubbard;
and ''Vermont'',
Captain William P. Potter.

Second Division was commanded by Rear Admiral Richard Wainwright.
Second Division consisted of
''Georgia'', the Division flagship,
Captain Edward F. Qualtrough;
''Nebraska'',
Captain Reginald F. Nicholson, replacing her sister ''Virginia'';
''New Jersey'',
Captain William H.H. Southerland; and
''Rhode Island'',
Captain Joseph B. Murdock.

Second Squadron and Third Division were commanded by Rear Admiral William H. Emory.
Third Division consisted of
''Louisiana'', the Squadron's flagship,
Captain Kossuth Niles;
''Virginia'',
Captain Alexander Sharp;
''Missouri'',
Captain Robert M. Doyle; and
''Ohio'',
Captain [[Thomas B. Howard]].

Fourth Division was commanded by Rear Admiral Seaton Schroeder.
Fourth Division consisted of
''Wisconsin'', the Division flagship,
Captain Frank E. Beatty, which replaced her sister ''Alabama'';
''Illinois'',
Captain John M. Bowyer;
''Kearsarge'',
Captain Hamilton Hutchins; and
''Kentucky'',
Captain Walter C. Cowles.

The Fleet Auxiliaries were
''Culgoa'' (a storeship),
Lieutenant Commander John B. Patton;
''Yankton'' (a tender),
Lieutenant Commander [[Charles B. McVay Jr.|Charles B. McVay]];
''Glacier'' (a storeship),
Commander William S. Hogg;
''Relief'' (a hospital ship),
Surgeon Charles F. Stokes; and
''Panther'' (a repair ship),
Commander Valentine S. Nelson.

==Third leg==
From San Francisco to Manila, {{convert|16336|nmi|km}}.<ref name="For details see Crawford, 2008"/>
[[File:1908 USA Naval Visit @ Auckland Bronze Medal.jpg|thumb|1908 bronze medallion for the Great White Fleet's visit to Auckland, New Zealand]]

===Itinerary===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Port
! Arrival
! Departure
! Distance to next port
|-
| [[San Francisco]], [[California]]
| &nbsp;
| 7 July 1908
| {{convert|2126|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Honolulu]], [[Territory of Hawaii|Hawaii]]
| 16 July 1908
| 22 July 1908
| {{convert|3870|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Auckland]], [[Dominion of New Zealand|New Zealand]]
| 9 August 1908
| 15 August 1908
| {{convert|1307|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]]
| 20 August 1908
| 28 August 1908
| &nbsp; {{convert|601|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]
| 29 August 1908
| 5 September 1908
| {{convert|1368|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Albany, Western Australia|Albany]], [[Western Australia]], [[Australia]]
| 11 September 1908
| 18 September 1908
| {{convert|3458|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Manila]], [[Insular Government of the Philippine Islands|Philippines]]
| 2 October 1908
| 9 October 1908
| {{convert|1795|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Yokohama]], [[Empire of Japan|Japan]]
| 18 October 1908
| 25 October 1908
| {{convert|1811|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Xiamen|Amoy]], [[Qing dynasty|China]]<br />(Second Squadron)
| 29 October 1908
| 5 November 1908
| &nbsp;
|-
| [[Manila]], [[Insular Government of the Philippine Islands|Philippines]]<br />(First Squadron)
| 31 October 1908
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
|-
| [[Manila]], [[Insular Government of the Philippine Islands|Philippines]]<br />(Second Squadron)
| 7 November 1908
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
|}

===Ships===
The Fleet, First Squadron, and First Division were commanded by Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry.
First Division consisted of
''Connecticut'', the Fleet's flagship,
Captain Hugo Osterhaus;
''Kansas'',
Captain Charles E. Vreeland;
''Minnesota'',
Captain John Hubbard; and
''Vermont'',
Captain William P. Potter.

Second Division consisted of
''Georgia'', the Division flagship,
Captain Edward F. Qualtrough;
''Nebraska'',
Captain Reginald F. Nicholson;
''New Jersey'',
Captain William H.H. Southerland; and
''Rhode Island'',
Captain Joseph B. Murdock.

The Second Squadron and Third Division were commanded by Rear Admiral William H. Emory.
Third Division consisted of
''Louisiana'', the Squadron flagship,
Captain Kossuth Niles;
''Virginia'',
Captain Alexander Sharp;
''Missouri'',
Captain Robert M. Doyle; and
''Ohio'',
Captain Thomas B. Howard.

Fourth Division was commanded by Rear Admiral Seaton Schroeder.
Fourth Division consisted of
''Wisconsin'', the Division flagship,
Captain Frank E. Beatty;
''Illinois'',
Captain John M. Bowyer;
''Kearsarge'',
Captain Hamilton Hutchins; and
''Kentucky'',
Captain Walter C. Cowles.

The Fleet Auxiliaries were
''Culgoa'' (a storeship),
Lieutenant Commander John B. Patton;
''Yankton'' (a tender),
Lieutenant Commander Charles B. McVay;
''Glacier'' (a storeship),
Commander William S. Hogg;
''Relief'' (a hospital ship),
Surgeon Charles F. Stokes; and
''Panther'' (a repair ship),
Commander Valentine S. Nelson.

==Final leg==

The final leg ran from Manila to Hampton Roads, {{convert|12455|nmi|km}}.<ref name="For details see Crawford, 2008"/>

===Itinerary===
[[File:Great White Fleet return2.jpg|thumb|Political cartoon from ''[[The New York Herald]]'', 22 February 1909. [[Uncle Sam]], [[George Washington]] and [[Theodore Roosevelt]] welcome the Great White Fleet home to [[Hampton Roads]], Virginia.]]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Port
! Arrival
! Departure
! Distance to next port
|-
| [[Manila]], [[Insular Government of the Philippine Islands|Philippine Islands]]
| &nbsp;
| 1 December 1908
| {{convert|2985|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Colombo]], [[British Ceylon|Ceylon]]
| 13 December 1908
| 20 December 1908
| {{convert|3448|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Suez]], [[Khedivate of Egypt|Egypt]]
| 3 January 1909
| 4–6 January 1909
| {{convert|2443|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Gibraltar]]
| 31 January – 1 February 1909
| 6 February 1909
| {{convert|3579|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Hampton Roads]], [[Virginia]]
| 22 February 1909
| &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
|}

==Experience gained==
The cruise of the Great White Fleet provided practical experience for US naval personnel in sea duty and ship handling. It also showed the viability of US warships for long-range operations as no major mechanical mishaps occurred. However, while the cruise uncovered design flaws, it did not test the abilities to engage in battle fleet action. These included excessive [[Draft (hull)|draft]], low armor belts, large turret openings and exposed ammunition hoists.{{sfn|Crawford|2008|p=6}} In fact, the success of the deployment might have helped obscure design deficiencies that were not addressed until [[World War I]].{{or?|date=November 2024}}

According to Mark Albertson:<blockquote> Theodore Roosevelt's battleships captured the imagination of the world. The cruise proved an immense public relation success for the Navy. Relations were fostered with nations that hitherto had been little more than names on a map; while relations with the familiar capitals were enhanced. The cruise highlighted such deficiencies in American battleship design as the placement of armor and ammunition hoists. The lack of American logistical support was also laid bare, ramming home the lesson that without an adequate homegrown merchant marine, control of the seas was all but impossible....It demonstrated America's ability to transfer power from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. Valuable lessons learned in the projection of sea power would later pay handsome dividends in two global conflicts. But of greater importance is that Roosevelt's gambit elevated the United States to the ranks of a global powers.<ref>Mark Albertson, ''They'll have to follow you! The triumph of the Great White Fleet'' (2007) p. 14.</ref> </blockquote>

''The Times'' of London editorialized regarding the extremely enthusiastic reception in Australia: "A spectacular display has valuable uses in impressing the masses, who will remember the sight for years, and draw important political deductions therefrom."<ref>"The American Fleet: Formal Reception at Melbourne," ''Times'' 1 September 1908, quoted in Werry (2005) p. 361.</ref>

==Effects on US capital ship design==
The {{sclass|South Carolina|battleship|1}} was laid down in 1906 and entered service in 1910 as the first American dreadnought. It was coal fired. While the capital ships of the Great White Fleet were already obsolete in light of the "big gun" revolution ushered in by the construction of {{HMS|Dreadnought|1906|6}}, their behavior at sea furnished valuable information that affected future construction. For instance, in terms of [[Seakeeping|seaworthiness]], all the capital ships in the fleet proved wet in all but the calmest seas, which led to the flared bows of subsequent U.S. battleships, increased [[Freeboard (nautical)|freeboard]] forward and such spray-reducing measures as the elimination of billboards for anchors and gun [[sponson]]s. Increased freeboard was needed; this and related considerations demanded increases in [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] and overall size. Between the {{sclass|Florida|battleship|1}}s, the last American capital ships completed before data from the cruise became available, and the {{sclass|Wyoming|battleship|4}}, the first designed after this data was received, displacement (and, as a result, cost) per ship increased by one third.{{sfn|Friedman|1985|pp=75–85}}

[[File:Kosmos esquadra americana 2.jpg|thumb|12 January 1908 – Arrival at Rio de Janeiro – Fleet enters Guanabara Bay]]Deficiencies in seaworthiness in turn reduced the battle-worthiness of the fleet. Turret heights for main armament proved too low and needed to be raised. Secondary armament was useless at speed and especially in tradewind conditions (with the wind moving over the sea at {{convert|10|kn|km/h}} or greater) and needed to be moved much higher in the hull. Improved placement began with the ''Wyoming''-class battleships and was further refined in the {{sclass|Nevada|battleship|4}}. [[Casemate|Casemates]] for the bow 3-inch guns in the newer pre-dreadnoughts were untenable due to wetness and were removed. Another discovery was that, even when fully loaded, the bottom of the battleships' side armor was visible—and the ships thus vulnerable to shells that might hit beneath it to reach their machinery and magazines—in smooth to moderate seas. The profile of crests and troughs in some ships contributed to this problem. Admiral Evans concluded that the standard {{convert|8|ft|m|adj=on}} width of belt armor was inadequate.{{sfn|Friedman|1985|pp=75–79}}

One other necessity the cruise outlined was the need for tactical homogeneity. Before the cruise, critics such as then-Captain [[William Sims]] (to whom President Roosevelt listened) had argued that American warship design had remained too conservative and precluded the level of efficiency needed for the fleet to function as an effective unit. The cruise proved the charge true. This would eventually lead to the building of [[standard-type battleship]]s in the U.S. Navy. When President Roosevelt convened the 1908 Newport Conference of the [[Naval War College]], he placed responsibility for U.S. battleship design on the [[General Board of the United States Navy]]. This gave line officers and planners direct input and control over warship design, a pattern which has persisted to the present day.{{sfn|Friedman|1985|pp=75, 82}}

==Effects on fleet operations==
Experience gained by the cruise led to improvements in formation steaming, coal economy and morale. Gunnery exercises doubled the fleet's accuracy. However, the mission also underlined the fleet's dependence on foreign [[Collier (ship)|colliers]] and the need for coaling stations and auxiliary ships for resupply.{{sfn|Crawford|2008|p=6}}

==See also==
* [[List of circumnavigations]]
* [[Big Stick ideology]] and [[Peace through strength]]

=== Similar voyages ===
* [[Squadron of Evolution]] — US 19th century squadron touring Europe, nicknamed "White Squadron"
* [[Cruise of the Special Service Squadron]] — UK naval circumnavigation tour after the Great War
* [[Operation Sea Orbit]] — World cruise by U.S. nuclear-powered vessels without replenishment, inspired by the Great White Fleet

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |last=Albertson |first=Mark |date=2007 |title=They'll Have to Follow You Home!: The Triumph of the Great White Fleet |location=Mustang, Oklahoma |publisher=Tate Publishing & Enterprises LLC |isbn=978-1-60462-145-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1_ApYoXy6kQC&q=great+white+fleet }}
* {{cite book |last=Carter |first=Samuel III |date=1971 |title=The Incredible Great White Fleet |location=New York City|publisher=Crowell-Collier Press |lccn=77-129747}}, for secondary schools
* {{cite book |last=Crawford |first=M. J. |title=The World Cruise of the Great White Fleet: Honoring 100 Years of Global Partnerships and Security |year=2008 |publisher=Naval Historical Center |location=Washington, DC|isbn=978-0945274599 }}
* {{cite book |last=Friedman |first=Norman |date=1985 |title=U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History |location=Annapolis |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=0-87021-715-1 |oclc=12214729 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y41Ha_3HsrYC }}
* {{cite book |last=Hart |first=R. A. |title=The Great White Fleet: Its Voyage Around the World, 1907–1909 |year=1965 |publisher=Little Brown |location=Boston |oclc=965439 }}
* Hodge, Carl Cavanagh. "A Whiff of Cordite: Theodore Roosevelt and the Transoceanic Naval Arms Race, 1897–1909." ''Diplomacy & Statecraft'' 19.4 (2008): 712–31.
* Holmes, James R.  "'A Striking Thing' Leadership, Strategic Communications, and Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet." ''Naval War College Review'' 61.1 (2008): 50–67. [https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a519197.pdf Online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117073854/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a519197.pdf |date=17 January 2022 }}
* Leeman, William, and John B Hattendorf, eds. ''Forging the Trident: Theodore Roosevelt and the United States Navy'' (2020) [https://www.amazon.com/Forging-Trident-Theodore-Roosevelt-United/dp/1682475344/ excerpt] ch 9.
* Love, Robert W., Jr. ''History of the US Navy: Volume One 1775–1941'' (Stackpole, 1992) 1:434–56.
* McMahon, Christopher. "The Great White Fleet Sails Today?" ''Naval War College Review'' 71.4 (2018): 67–90. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/26607090.pdf online]
* Megaw, Ruth. "Australia and the Great White Fleet 1908" ''Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society'' (April 1970) 56#2 pp.&nbsp;121–33; focus on the reasons for the thunderous reception in terms of fear of Japan after its navy sank the Russian navy.
* Neu, Charles E. ''An Uncertain Friendship: Theodore Roosevelt and Japan, 1906–1909'' (1967) pp.&nbsp;254–309, on war scare with Japan
* {{cite news|last=Nolte|first=Carl|title=Great White Fleet Visited S.F. 100 Years Ago|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|date=6 May 2008|page=B3}}
* Oyos, Matthew M. "Theodore Roosevelt and the implements of war." ''Journal of Military History'' 60.4 (1996): 631+  [https://www.proquest.com/openview/ff6fb49a8e0ecac6e436e684222b906c/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=1819215 online]
* Pellett, C. Roger. "Boats of the Great White Fleet: The Standard United States Navy Boats of 1900" ''Nautical Research Journal'' (Winter 2012) 57#4 pp.&nbsp;209–16.
* {{cite book|last=Reckner|first=J. R.|title=Teddy Roosevelt's Great White Fleet: The World Cruise of the American Battlefleet, 1907–1909|year=1988|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis|isbn=978-0870216978|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/teddyrooseveltsg00reck}}
* Werry, Margaret. "'The Greatest Show on Earth': Political Spectacle, Spectacular Politics, and the American Pacific." ''Theatre Journal'' 57.3 (2005): 355–82. about the Great White Fleet; [https://muse.jhu.edu/article/188408/summary excerpt]
* {{cite book|last=Wimmel|first=K.|title=Theodore Roosevelt and the Great White Fleet: American Sea Power Comes of Age|year=1998|publisher=Brassey's|location=Washington, DC|isbn= 978-1574881530}}
[[File:Matthews, With the Battle Fleet.jpg|thumb|book jacket of Matthews, ''With the Battle Fleet'' (1908)]]

===Primary sources===
* Codd, Margaret J. ''With Evans to the Pacific: A Story of the Battle Fleet'' (1909), a novel.
* Matthews, Franklin. ''With the Battle Fleet: Cruise of the sixteen battleships of the United States Atlantic Fleet from Hampton Roads to the Golden Gate, December 1907–May 1908'' (1908) [https://archive.org/details/cu31924032621595 online]
* Matthews, Franklin. ''Back to Hampton Roads: Cruise of the US Atlantic Fleet from San Francisco to Hampton Roads, July 7, 1908–February 22, 1909'' (1909) [https://archive.org/details/backtohamptonroa00mattrich online]
* Miller, Roman John. ''Around the World with the Battleships'' (AC McClurg & Company, 1909). [https://books.google.com/books?id=fbKEoGqDO1oC&dq=Roman+Miller%27s+%22Pictorial+Log+of+the+BATTLE+FLEET+CRUISE+AROUND+THE+WORLD.%22&pg=IA5 online], sailor accounts
* Miller, Roman John. '' Pictorial log of the battle fleet cruise around the world'' (1909).

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/exploration-and-innovation/world-cruise.html US Navy Historical Center Site]
* [http://www.militarymuseum.org/NAASMonterey.html Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Monterey]
* [https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/man-findingaids/MS_219.EAD.xml Guide to the Theodore W. Richards Great White Fleet Scrapbook, 1908–1909; 1916; 1945 MS 219] held by Special Collection & Archives, Nimitz Library at the United States Naval Academy

{{US Fleets|state=expanded}}
{{Theodore Roosevelt}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1900s in the United States]]
[[Category:1900s in transport]]
[[Category:Fleets of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt]]
[[Category:Circumnavigations]]
[[Category:United States Navy in the 20th century]]