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Crowds in lower Queen Street, Auckland
Crowds in lower Queen Street, Auckland

Crowds in lower Queen Street, Auckland

Maker
Date1908
Object number00015373
NamePostcard
MediumCard, ink
DimensionsOverall: 90 x 139 mm
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionThis souvenir postcard was produced to commemorate the visit of the American Great White Fleet to Auckland, New Zealand in August 1908. The postcard features a coloured photographic print depicting crowds of people and mounted police in lower Queen Street, Auckland. A decorated archway frames the postcard, with the words 'Welcome' and American flags flying on the sides and top of the arch.HistoryIn December 1907 United States President Theodore Roosevelt sent the US Atlantic Battle Fleet of 16 battleships and seven auxiliary ships on an 18 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.SignificanceThe visit of the American Great White Fleet in 1908 was an event of enormous proportions. Souvenir items such as this postcard demonstrate the excitement the visit generated amongst the Australian public. Memorabilia made to coincide with the occasion emphasised the mutual union between the countries and the good will of the Australian nation toward its American ally.