United States Pacific Fleet berthed at Victoria Dock, Melbourne

Printer Harringtons Ltd

Date1925

Object number00045887

NamePhotograph

MediumPhotograph

DimensionsOverall: 66 x 114 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionThis photograph depicts several ships of the United States Pacific Fleet berthed at Victoria Dock in Melbourne. Destroyer USS MULLANY (number 325) is visible at the front. The United States Pacific Fleet visited Australia from 23 July to 6 August 1925, and divided into two contingents: the smaller visiting Sydney, and the larger visiting Melbourne and Hobart.SignificanceThis photograph is significant as a souvenir of the 1925 goodwill cruise of the United States Pacific Fleet to Australia, which renewed the Australian-American alliance established by the Great White Fleet visit in 1908. The 1925 visit contributes to a long history of US Naval visits to Australian ports starting with the US Exploring Expedition in 1839-1840, followed by the 1908 visit of the Great White Fleet and later visits in the 1940s in the lead-up to World War II.