The Great White Fleet at Magdalena Bay

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March 12th to April 11th - Magdalena Bay, Mexico

Magdalena Bay was an ideal place for target practice. Fifteen miles long and ten miles wide, it provided a secluded bay for the American Fleet to conduct drills with their guns. In many respects it was one of the most important stops of the trip around the horn providing the fleet with valuable training in the event of naval engagement later in the cruise. Every crewmember understood this possibility and work to gain their proficiency should their skills be tested. For days before their arrival each ships constructed targets that could be lowered into the water and fired at from several miles. They were generally constructed using logs that had large mast areas with targets painted of specific dimensions. This allowed for careful measure of crew performance for speed and accuracy and ships were brought onto the range to fire at the target at specific ranges, distances and angles.

Part of the H. H. Stratton Series.

Chief Turret Captain Roman Miller wrote of his experience:"All day long and half the night, the big guns boomed on the target ranges, the great hissing shells tore out across the smooth, unruffled waters of the bay, cutting ragged rents in the white canvas targets and throwing tons of water high in the air like so many living geysers. The men worked with almost frenzied activity in the turrets, casemates, and batteries. The ship steamed round the target ranges, the guns blazing forth as they passed the position buoys and came on the range. The din on board was deafening, the effect electrical and thrilling. Guns of all sizes were fired, from the sharp-barking three-pounders to the ponderous, reverberating eight and twelve-inch turret guns.

These cards were created several years before the fleet arrived for target practice by a Sergant Van Dyke, USS Maryland. They were used by sailors of the Great White fleet while visiting Magdalena Bay. This one part of the Milton Willard Collection.

From the cards received by Miss May Phelps from C. F. Cleary, a Second Class Machines Mate on the USS Maine.

For three-weeks the guns blazed in the Bay. In the end the training proved quite successful. By all measures the fleet finished their train in Magdalena Bay in better material condition and combat readiness then when they had left Hampton Roads.

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