Unfortunately, the British Governor had been directed to officially ignore the visit.  As such, all official balls and parties planned for the Christmas holiday were canceled and no official party was organized to meet the fleet.  

These two cards show sailors on liberty in Trinidad during their first port visit.  The cards are part of the

H. H. Stratton series.  Given the lack of reception, the cards do reflect a quiet visit.

Despite this Admiral Evans put the fleet’s “best foot” forward.  During the cruise south each ship had selected members of the cruise to be trained as the Navy’s first shore patrol.  With the cool reception he granted liberty to 2000 sailors who went ashore to enjoy the city.  Shopping the markets they found fresh fruit, straw hats, monkeys, parrots, parakeets, and high prices.  As for postcards and souvenirs, there were very few items commemorating the fleet’s visit. 

The fleet found ways to enjoy their Holiday.  Boats were sent ashore to gather palm fronds, bamboo leaves, and green vines to decorate the ships.  Crews put on shows aboard ships and took their liberty boats to go ship-to-ship caroling.  Christmas day provided sports competition in boxing, wrestling, and boat racing between the ships.  A typical New England style dinner was served of roast ham and turkey, cranberry sauce, candied yams, mince pie and plumb pudding.  

These two cards are part of the collection sent home by William Burgess, USS Kersearge.  The postcard at the left of of the lighthouse.  The postcard at the right is the drydock with the comment, "This is our first stop of the cruise. WGB"  To see more of this collection, select the link above

These aluminum plates were issued to commorate Christmas and New Years for 1907-08 in Trinidad.  At left the USS Maine, at right, the USS Minnasota.

Swimming from the ship.  Brown & Schaffer

For the next few days all hands were occupied with bringing on coal.  This was a dirty task in which the entire crew participated with the best of spirits.  Sailors typically had and old set of cloths and a special hat they wore during coaling.  The crews sang songs during work or listened to members of the ship’s band.  In Trinidad the temperature was typically 90-degrees causing the crews to rotate the men in the bunkers regularly to prevent injury from the heat.  Swiming from the ship was popular.

This postcard was sent from Clyde O. Will, USS Connecticut.  It shows a nice view of the Port of Spain with a one Penny stamp of Trinidad.  In the upper left corner is a cancel from the ship, "Wireless office USS Connecticut."

 A brochure of the West Indies was purchased by a sailor of the Great White Fleet

On the afternoon of December 29^th the fleet finished coaling and immediately weighted anchor to leave the port.  The fleet was ready to move on.  Upon departure Governor Jackson chose to ignore is orders and congratulated Admiral Evans on the “irreproachable behavior of your men . . .  I can assure you that your men established a record hard to equal and impossible to beat.”

Frank B. Lesher