Two US Navy warships possibly leaving Sydney Harbour
Photographer
Samuel J Hood Studio
(Australian, 1899 - 1953)
Date6 August 1925
Object number00035978
NameGlass plate negative
MediumEmulsion on glass
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis photograph possibly depicts two New Mexico class battleships, either USS NEW MEXICO, USS MISSISSIPPI or USS IDAHO. 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. The fleet departed for New Zealand on 6 August.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.
