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The Great White Fleet

Programme of Events | Great White Fleet records from our collection

Thursday 20 August 1908 witnessed the arrival of the United States of America fleet at Port Jackson, Sydney. This was part of a round the world cruise by the fleet which had originally set out on 16 December 1907.

The sixteen warships were painted white to denote peace. They would be known as The Great White Fleet. The flagship of the fleet was the Connecticut.

Programme of Events

Click an image to view a larger version or browse all images with descriptions.

  • Invitation[NRS 4472]
  • Invitation[NRS 4472]
  • Programme of Events for Sydney[NRS 4472]
  • Programme of Events[NRS 4472]
  • Programme of Events[NRS 4472]
  • Events List[NRS 4472]
  • Events List[NRS 4472]
  • Events List[NRS 4472]
  • Events List[NRS 4472]
  • Events List[NRS 4472]
  • Events List[NRS 4472]
  • Programme of Events - Map[NRS 4472]
  • Programme - inside back cover[NRS 4472]
  • Programme of Events[NRS 4472]

On arrival the fleet was given a tremendous welcome. Thursday 20 August 1908 was a public holiday and a week long celebration followed. Fleet Week celebrations and entertainments included the Official Landing and Public Reception, a review at Centennial Park, parades, luncheons, dinners, balls, concerts, theatre parties, sporting events such as boxing, football and baseball matches, a gymkhana including a tug-of-war and a regatta.

Buildings and streets were decorated and illuminated at night. There were daylight and night time fireworks displays.

Excursions were arranged for the Americans to visit Manly, Parramatta, Newcastle, The National Park, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains.

The fleet stayed in Sydney until its departure for Melbourne on 27 August 1908.

Great White Fleet records from our collection

Click an image to view a larger version or browse all images.

  • Illustrative souvenir of the American Fleet[NRS 9852]
  • Illustrative souvenir of the American Fleet - flags[NRS 9852]
  • Description of the ships from the Souvenir Booklet[NRS 9852]
  • Description of the ships from the Souvenir Booklet[NRS 9852]
  • The Great White Fleet in Sydney Harbour[NRS 18526]
  • Letterhead[NRS 13111]
  • Invitation to an official reception[NRS 4541]
  • Invitation to lunch[NRS 4541]
  • Invitation to an official reception[NRS 906]
  • Invitation to lunch[NRS 906]
  • Spectators on the northern slope in Cennential Park[NRS 18526]
  • Parade at Centennial Park - review[NRS 4541]
  • Order of Parade[NRS 4541]
  • Spectators viewing the US Navy's 'Great White Fleet' in Sydney Harbour[NRS 18526]
  • Public School Display at the Sydney Cricket Ground[NRS 906]
  • Proposed rail journey to the National Park[NRS 906]
  • Proposed rail journey to the Illawarra[NRS 906]
  • Proposed rail journey to Parramatta and Hawkesbury Agricultural College[NRS 906]
  • Proposed rail journey to the Western Line[NRS 906]
  • American National Anthem[NRS 905]
  • Correspondence re supplying chairs to the American Fleet[NRS 905]
  • Photo of one of the wicker chairs[NRS 905]
  • Spectators viewing a battleship[NRS 18526]
  • Government Transport correspondence files[NRS 13100]
  • Government Transport correspondence files[NRS 13100]
  • Letter re public transport delays[NRS 13100]
  • Letter re public transport delays[NRS 13100]
  • Letter re public transport delays[NRS 13100]
  • Urgent matter - men from the Great White Fleet absent on departure[NRS 905]
  • Departing Sydney Harbour[NRS 18526]

Where you can find other records relating to the Great White Fleet

NRS 906 Chief Secretary, Special Bundles, Visit of the American Fleet, 1908 [4/967-69, 5/5228]

NRS 905 Chief Secretary, Letters Received, 1908 [5/6990, 5/6994, 5/6995]

NRS 4472 Government Printing Office, Miscellaneous invitations, 1882-1937 [X720]

NRS 13100 Government Transport correspondence files, 1902-38, US Fleet Visit, 1908 [8/1405]

NRS 4541 Governor, Letters from Consuls, Diplomats, Officials and private persons, 1906-36 [7/1638.1]

NRS 9852 Maritime Services Board, Information Files, US fleet Visit, 1908 [4/10606]

NRS 4255 Fire Brigades Board, Minutes Book [6/13083 pp.298, 338, 340,341 and 448]

Photo Investigator

Where else to view images of the Great White Fleet

Picture Australia has a great collection of images from Australia cultural institutions

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