Souvenir boomerang from 1925 US Fleet visit

Date1925

Object number00046750

NameBoomerang

MediumWood

DimensionsOverall: 63 x 407 x 4 mm

ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionThis Australian souvenir boomerang was made for sale to US Servicemen during the 1925 American Fleet visit to Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart.HistoryIn 1925 after undertaking annual manoeuvres off Hawaii the American Pacific Fleet undertook a goodwill cruise to New Zealand and Australia arriving in New Zealand on 11 August. Four sections of the fleet entered four different NZ ports simultaneously - with 14 destroyers at Lyttelton and 15 at Dunedin while eight battleships visited Auckland and nine arrived at Wellington. The fleet of 56 USN vessels, including twelve battleships then proceeded to Australia where they were accorded a similarly warm and enthusiastic welcome. This fleet also visited Melbourne, and a smaller detachment visited Hobart. The flagship was USS SEATTLE and medals issued at the time bear the mottos TIGHTENING THE BOND and UNITY IS STRENGTH.SignificanceThere is 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, this 1925 visit and increasing in the 1940's in the lead-up to WWII.