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Public Schools Demonstration Sydney NSW to the American Fleet on its Visit to Australia
Public Schools Demonstration Sydney NSW to the American Fleet on its Visit to Australia

Public Schools Demonstration Sydney NSW to the American Fleet on its Visit to Australia

Maker
Printer (1858 - 1922)
Date1908
Object number00027950
NameCertificate
MediumLithograph on paper
DimensionsOverall: 317 x 247 mm, 1 mm, 0.05 kg
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Anthony Walsh
DescriptionThis Certificate of participation was produced to commemorate demonstrations by New South Wales public schools to the American Great White Fleet on its visit to Australia in 1908. Three children appear in the centre dressed in red, white and blue waving streamers with birds flying around them. Beneath them are shields with the flags of Britain, the United States and NSW. To the right of the children are the vessels of the Great White Fleet. The Fleet tour generated many public ceremonies, parades and receptions.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. Roosevelt was also concerned about rising Japanese aggression and their expansionist foreign policy. The cruise would be a political and public relations exercise to build domestic support for more naval construction. Led by the flagship, USS CONNECTICUT, the Great White Fleet as it became known, consisted of 16 battleships painted white, as was the practice of all US Navy ships in times of peace. The ships sailed in four divisions of four ships each. Early in the voyage the order of the ships was altered to allow the best-looking vessels to be at the front of the fleet. The cruise incorporated six continents, 26 countries and 32 ports with 614 officers and 13,504 crew. It consumed 435,000 tons of coal, more than any other naval expedition and was the largest fleet to ever accomplish a circumnavigation of the globe. 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. Public holidays were declared and enthusiastic crowds flocked to see the ships and parades. Vast arrays of souvenirs were produced for a population caught up in the euphoria.SignificanceThis certificate demonstrates the breadth of interest and participation in welcoming the Great White Fleet on its tour around Australia.