United States battleship USS LOUISIANA

Publisher Empire

Date1908

Object number00004071

NamePostcard

MediumPhotographic print on paper

DimensionsOverall: 90 x 140 mm

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionThe US Battleship LOUISIANA is depicted at sea in this 1908 postcard commemorating the arrival of the Great White Fleet to Australia in 1908. The hand coloured card was published by Empire. Postcards were a popular and cheap item to keep as a souvenir of the occasion and commonly depicted portraits of the battleships in the fleet.HistoryIn 1907 American President Roosevelt ordered the Atlantic Battle Fleet of the US Navy on an ambitious voyage around the world. In December 1907 led by the flagship CONNECTICUT, the Atlantic Fleet consisted of 16 battleships painted white as all US Navy ships were in times of peace. The ships sailed in four divisions of four ships each and visited six continents, 26 countries and 32 ports. It carried 614 officers, 13,504 other crew and consumed 435,000 tons of coal, more than any other naval expedition. It was the largest fleet to ever accomplish a circumnavigation. 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. The USS LOUISIANA was a Connecticut class battleship launched on 27 August 1904. It was involved in operations in Cuba and the Panama Canal before taking part in the 1907 to 1909 Great White Fleet tour. LOUISIANA's later career was spent in the North Atlantic and waters around Mexico. During World War I the battleship was active in the Atlantic between Canada and France. It was decommissioned on 20 October 1920 and sold for scrap.SignificanceThis postcard represents the memorabilia created to celebrate the peace time world tour of the Great White Fleet in 1908 to countries including Australia.