Hail Columbia

Datec 1908

Object number00015298

NamePostcard

MediumCardboard ink

DimensionsOverall: 88 x 139 mm

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Collections

Music

Terms

DescriptionA postcard featuring the words and music to 'Hail Columbia'. Around the edges is depicted the figures of Uncle Sam and a kangaroo shaking hands, intertwined American and Australian flags and ships of the American Navy. The card is a souvenir of the visit of the Great White Fleet in 1908, recognized as one of the biggest events in the newly established federation of Australia. At the time 'Hail Columbia', written by Philip Phile for the inauguration of George Washington, was an official American national anthem with 'Columbia' referring to the United States. HistoryOn 20 August 1908 more than 500,000 Sydney residents turned out to witness16 vessels of the United States (US) Navy’s ‘Great White Fleet’ steam into Sydney Harbour. It was just one port in the fleet's 14 month tour that would cover some 45,000 miles but NSW was determined that it would be the most memorable visit on the itinerary. Two public holidays, public celebrations, mass souvenirs and countless publications were served up to record this historic arrival and left little doubt that both the government and the Australian population embraced the opportunity to welcome this foreign fleet into local waters. Australian Prime Minister, Alfred Deakin, and American President, Theodore Roosevelt, had agreed on the visits of the Great White Fleet for equally beneficial but slightly differing aims. For Deakin, acting alone on a foreign policy issue such as this had signified to Britain Australia's growing independence. Its locality in the Pacific determined vastly different requirements than that of the British Admiralty which Deakin felt had been lapse in in its responsibility in defending Australia if needed or having any real impactful presence in the region at all. Feeling increasingly isolated and frustrated, Deakin saw the visit of the American fleet as both a signal to Britain that Australia's own naval fleet needed attention and that it was developing external relationships of its own. President Roosevelt had authorised the Great White Fleet tour as a way to gauge the potential effectiveness ofthe naval fleet. And while undoubtedly a peaceful mission of goodwill, the ability of the American fleet assembled and cruising through the Pacific visiting friendly ports, was not lost on Japan. It also did much for American pride to hear of their vast fleet touring the region and receiving such a warm public welcome at each country. For both Australia and America, the visit of the Great White Fleet in 1908 may have been cause for public celebration and festivities, but the arrival of this naval resource signified much more. While Australians were still grappling with what federation would look like and allegiance to Britain still paramount. here was another foreign power, arriving in local waters with the biggest military force Australians had ever seen. SignificanceThe arrival of the Great White Fleet to Australia in 1908 was a significant event in the history of Australian naval and foreign policy. It was widely celebrated by the vast majority of Australians who turned out in their thousands to see the spectacle but also for the government who had hoped the fleet's arrival would send a message to Britain and the Admiralty for Australia own naval future.