Suez - the Entry into the Canal
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By the time the battle fleet arrived in Suez it was not in the best of shape. Long months at sea with hulls barnacle-encrusted and corroded pipes and boilers was amplified by the lack of spare parts and the lack of enthusiasm in the crews. Sailors were growing restive and homesick. At Suez, before entering the canal, a hundred first class seaman from each ship, comprising a party of 1600 were granted two days liberty to visit Cairo and the Pyramids. No officers could be spared and they were on there on with the civilian tour manager. |
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January 4-7 - Fleet passing through the canal; the Connecticut, Kansas, Vermont, and Minnesota entering at Suez and reaching Port Said, January 4; the Louisiana, Virginia, Missouri, Ohio, and Kentucky entering January 5 and reaching Port Said January 5 and 6; the Georgia, Nebraska, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Kearsarge, Wisconsin and Illinois leaving Suez January 6 and reaching Port Said January 7. Sailors ashore found the tour manager had under-estimated the number of train cars needed for the trip to Cairo, and they found themselves riding on the roof of the train, on window ledges, and platforms of the train. |
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This is an interesting card dated October1st, 1908 from an American Sailor. "Start through the Canal tomorrow" Possibly either the Maine or Alabama which had left San Francisco on May 18th as a Special Service Squadron. |
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Bill@GreatWhiteFleet.info