Great White Fleet Centenary banner

Date2008

Object number00009493

NameBanner

MediumSynthetic fabric

DimensionsOverall: 4500 x 1550 mm

ClassificationsVisual communication

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from American Australian Association Ltd

Terms

DescriptionThese banners were flown around Sydney during the combined United States Navy and Royal Australian Navy visit in August 2008 commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Great White Fleet visit, August 1908. The Australian National Maritime Museum collaborated with City of Sydney, University of Sydney-The United States Studies Centre and the American Australian Association Ltd in launching these banners.HistoryIn December 1907 United States President Theodore Roosevelt sent a US Atlantic Battle Fleet of 16 battleships on a 14 month goodwill cruise around the world. The fleet was a chance for the Navy to practice seamanship and express America's world power. Australia was not originally on the itinerary route of the Great White Fleet, who only decided to visit after receiving a direct invitation from the Prime Minister Alfred Deakin. One quarter of the Australian population, over one million people, saw the Great White Fleet during its three-week visit to Sydney, Melbourne and Albany. In August-September 2008 a joint USN and RAN fleet visit to the three ports originally visited by the Great White Fleet in 1908. As with the 1908 visit public programs, parades, concerts and dinners were scheduled in each of the ports.SignificanceAn 2008 a great deal of planning and coordination went into organizing a joint USN and RAN fleet visit to the three ports originally visited by the Great White Fleet in 1908. As with the 1908 visit public programs, parades, concerts and dinners were scheduled in Sydney Melbourne and Albany.