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US warship in Sydney Harbour
US warship in Sydney Harbour

US warship in Sydney Harbour

Photographer (Australian, 1899 - 1953)
Printer
DateJuly 1925
Object number00020974
NamePhotograph
MediumSilver gelatin print
DimensionsOverall: 65 x 111 mm
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionImage of a US naval vessel (centre) and smaller motor vessels silhouetted against the sun on 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. 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.