USS RELIEF in Sydney Harbour

Photographer Samuel J Hood Studio (Australian, 1899 - 1953)

DateJuly 1925

Object number00020987

NamePhotograph

MediumSilver gelatin print

DimensionsOverall: 60 x 85 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis image depicts the United States Navy's hospital ship, USS RELIEF in Sydney Harbour. 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. On 24 July, 'The Sydney Morning Herald' reported on the fleet's arrival and the appearance of RELIEF: 'At the end of the long procession of battleships came a smaller ship, built on entirely different lines, and painted white. One knew at once that this was the hospital ship Relief. Coming after the great male battleships in their uniform of war grey, she lent a touch of feminine interest to the array. She carried an irresistible suggestion of an hospital nurse in uniform.'SignificanceThis photograph is significant as a souvenir of the 1925 goodwill cruise of the United States Battle 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.