Bellingham greeted the fleet in fashion.  At left a a postcard illustrating the fleet arrival with a sailor exclaiming "Hurrah Bellingham",

The visit would be upset by the death of two sailors in a transportation acident.

Sailors and Marines of the Great White Fleet marching in downtown Bellingham

Just after noon, the seven ships of the Second Squadron rounded Commercial Point and set their anchors in Bellingham Bay.  It would be the most northern point of the cruise.  Lieutenant Frank Radley, in charge of the National Guard rendered a salute to the arriving fleet.  The Mayor of Bellingham was on hand to extend a formal greeting and a welcoming committee quickly boarded the Connecticut and extended the greeting from the city to the officers and men of the fleet.

The Second Squadron divided to allow the Third Division to visit Port Angeles for the next two days while the Fourth Division visited Port Townsend.   

The two cards above   show the USS New Jersey and USS Minnesota while anchored in Bellingham Bay.  The cards describes visiting the Connecticut and the parade.

The card at left shows the USS Minnesota at anchor in Bellingham Bay and describes the ship as one of the Fleet that visited last week.

The city of Bellingham greeted the fleet by extending the friendship of the community after the fleet parade.  The card to the right is from the E. L. DeMoss, USS Kansas.  Please select to see the complete collection.

This postcard shows two views from Bellingham during the visit of the fleet.  The upper photograph is of the Flagship Connecticut.  The lower view is from the waterfront.  Many of these types of cards were "home-made" and stamped on the back of the photo with the information necessary to use it as a postcard.

The USS Rhode Island at anchor in Bellingham Bay

This is a nice program commorating the fleet's visit to Bellingham with a collection of ship photos and the schedule of events while the ships are visiting.

The two day calander includes the flag raising at the YMCA, the USS Connecticut vs. Bellingham Northwest baseball team, and the officers' ball at Fairyland Rink.

These cabinet photos were taken of the Connecticut and Kansas while anchored off Bellingham on May 22nd.   They are larger than a postcard with good contrast.

The port visit was highlighted by a parade along West Holly Street through the downtown area.  Afterwards the community extended a warm welcome with small events and by opening their doors with food and hospitality.  There was only one incident to mar the visit. 

Parading Fleet

Two sailors while riding on the back of an overloaded street car were killed when the bumper of the street car gave way and they were run over.    They were J. J. Staub, Seaman, and F. Lulinski, third-class master-at-arms.  They were buried at the Naval Cemetery at Bremerton.  Lulinski had been the boxing lightweight champion of the Navy.

Includes comment regarding accident