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US Navy officers and sailors marching through Sydney
US Navy officers and sailors marching through Sydney

US Navy officers and sailors marching through Sydney

Photographer (Australian, 1899 - 1953)
Date23 July 1925
Object number00034711
NamePhotograph
MediumGlass plate negative
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis photograph depicts US Navy officers and sailors marching through Sydney at the corner of Prince Albert Road and Queens Square. On 23 July 1925, Sydney hosted eight of the US Navy Battle Fleet's largest ships, including USS CALIFORNIA, USS COLORADO, USS TENNESSEE, USS MARYLAND, USS WEST VIRGINIA, USS NEW MEXICO, USS MISSISSIPPI and USS IDAHO. Admiral Samuel Shelburne Robison was Commander-in-Chief of the Battle Fleet who, after the tour, succeeded Coontz as Commander-in-Chief of the US Fleet. The fleet departed for New Zealand on 6 August. Adelaide’s ‘The Register’ published his parting words: ‘It is with deep regret that I find the day for the departure of the Sydney detachment of the United States Fleet has arrived. No words can portray the feelings that surged within us when we saw the shores of your wonderful harbour, from the Heads to the anchorage, packed with welcoming throngs; and realised that it was all in honour of the flag under which we sail. Every moment since we passed under your symbolic welcoming arch, we have felt a true welcome magnificently expressed by the Commonwealth, the city, the surrounding communities, and the people individually.’ The fleet departed for New Zealand on 6 August.SignificanceThe Samuel J Hood photographic collection records an extensive range of maritime activity on Sydney Harbour, including sail and steam ships, crew portraits, crews at work, ship interiors, stevedores loading and unloading cargo, port scenes, pleasure boats and harbourside social activities from the 1890s through to the 1950s. They are also highly competent artistic studies and views - Hood was regarded as an important figure in early Australian photojournalism. Hood’s maritime photographs are one of the most significant collections of such work in Australia.