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Crowd of civilians at The Gap in Sydney possibly during US Navy fleet visit
Crowd of civilians at The Gap in Sydney possibly during US Navy fleet visit

Crowd of civilians at The Gap in Sydney possibly during US Navy fleet visit

Photographer (Australian, 1899 - 1953)
Date23 July 1925
Object number00034710
NamePhotograph
MediumGlass plate negative
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis photograph depicts crowds gathered at the South Head cliffs, known as The Gap, in Watsons Bay, Sydney possibly for the United States Navy visit. 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.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.