This collection of Machinest Mate Second Class Van B. Edwards, USS Connecticut is the only collection that I have found that belonged to the sailor during the cruise.  These cards came from one postcard album kept by Van from the period just prior to the cruise until after the cruise when the Connecticut was in Cuba.  The majority of cardswere not canceled, as they were never mailed, but they present a wonderful collection of the sites of a sailor during the cruise.

Some of the most interesting cards from this collection are from Italy, which was an opporunity sailors of the Connecticut had over other ships of the fleet, and the cards from Tangier.

At right:  A postcard from Tangier titled Tipos da Marruecas.

A set of cards from Fortress Monroe, Hampton Roads

This group of cards shows Fortress Monroe located at the mouth of Hampton Roads.  The old fort still stands today and can be seen by visiting - http://www.geocities.com/hrforts/Fort_Monroe/

Norfolk, Virginia in 1908

This card provides a view of Norfolk from the National Bank of Commerce




A view of people walking at the Entrance to Lafayette Park, Norfolk, VA.

 


The Powhatan Live Oaks of Jamestown Exposition Grounds.  About 355 years old near Norfolk, VA.



Hotel Monticello, Norfolk, Virginia

Hotel Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, near Norfolk




Old St. Pauls Church - Shows historic cannonball fired by Lord Dunsmore

Norfolk, VA - St. Vincents Hospital

 Lima, Peru

As a Machinest Mate onboard the USS Connecticut, Van probably spent much of his time inport working below decks repairing elements of the plant that could not be completed during operation.  The first port that the album had cards from was Lima.

At left:  A real photo postcard of a group of sailors on the street.  "How bad the natives gather around the Sailors"

A second photo postcard provides a "Birds eye view of Lima,"

These five cards show views and building from the city.