The Great White Fleet Visits China

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October 30th to November 5th - Amoy, China

LEFT: Postcard issued in Hong Kong for the officical dinner at Amoy. (select for larger)

RIGHT: The menu from the Tiffin held on November 1st.

Officers of the Great White Fleet in Amoy, China, 1 November 1908. Adm William H. Emory, USN. Radm Seaton Schroeder, USN, Imperial Manchu Prince Yo Lang H.E, Sung Shou Viceroy are among the guests for a dinner held within the specially-built entertainment center. All food and drink was brought in from Shanghai, along with rickshaws, mandarin chairs, horses and wagons. It was on Amoy that many of the sailors were introduced to the oriental delicacy of shark fin soup.

"We are not allowed to go up into the old city of Amoy nor over into the European settlement for fear of getting the cholera or some other infectious disease. A large dock was erected where we landed and marched in a body to the grounds. On the way there we passed an old Chinese fort on top of which Chinese soldiers could be seen by the dozen. " From the letter of Frank Lesher, USS Virginia.

At left an original photo of the gate to the compound. At right: A photo of the harbor of Amoy. Above an optimum pipe from his souvenirs.

At this point in the cruise, sailors were starting to think about home, more and more. For the crew of the USS Virginia they ordered a homeward-bound pennant from China to fly from the main mast when entering port or passing another ships. This was written about in a letter from Frank Lesher while in Manila.

The postcard at right, showing a juggler entertaining the sailors of the fleet, as well as the card above showing the fleet dining, were made from photographs of the fleet visit but were not available until long after they had left.

The visit of the Great White Fleet was seen as an opportunity for China to restore and enhance her position amongst the other nations of the world. It reaffirmed their territorial rights as presented by Teddy Roosevelt's Open Door Policy providing a warning to Japan against further intrusions into Manchuria.

	The Banquet held in honor of the fleet was held on November 3rd. The menu included a mixture of European favorites mixed with traditional meals from China. At left the cover for the Banquet; at right the menu providing the wines and food for the meal. This item is part of the collection from Midshipman Lofquist.

The three cards above are from the George F. Biller Collection, mailed while onboard the USS Missouri

The visit of the American Fleet fell short of China's desires. Initially Shanghai was selected as the port of call, but after arches and pavilions had been constructed, the navy department decided the port was too shallow and the channels too difficult. The Chinese were pleased with the alternate selection of Chefu which was close enough to the Empress in Peking to all Admiral Sperry to visit. After again building grand stands, arches and pavilions it was rejected by Washington because it faced the Japanese fortress at Port Arthur. Washington felt they would offend the Japanese by honoring an enemy, the Chinese. Instead they recommended the port of Amoy.

Souvenir Flag of the Fleet's Visit

This is a program of the Tiffin tendered to the officers of the U.S. Battleship Fleet by the Foreign Residents of Kulangsu at the Amoy Club.

The menu included such items as Roast Beef, Chicken and Shanghai Game Pie.

Unique to the souvenirs that were created for the fleet's cruise were the items from china. Flags, metal trays, vases, and the fan shown here were all made as commemorative items for this 6 day visit to Amoy.

The city felt that the American Fleet could potentially inflame the Japanese government into taking punishment out on their city.

Amoy was far from an ideal selection. China felt that it was a terrible selection. For one, the location was far from central China and Peking. Even Worse, the city of Amoy wanted nothing to do with welcoming the American Fleet. In fact, they were openly hostile. Amoy was an independent minded city that was generally opposed to the current leadership in Manchuria.

At Left and Right: The Welcome Arch constructed for the Fleet's arrival. Flag posts to the right and left of the towers were used to display American and Chinese Flags.

As part of second division, the Virginia visited Amoy, China. The card shown at right, photographed by Walter Stiles, Machinist, Second Class, USS Virginia, shows the championship football game with the pavilion in the background.

To greet the American Fleet in Amoy it became necessary to build a "second city" from an existing town outside Amoy. "Pleasure City", as it was called was constructed against all odds. The city of Amoy provided no support for purchasing construction materials, labor, or food for the sailors. Everything had to be brought in by junk or wagon from northern cities. Further they had to construct the city as a fortress with police and regular troops to provide armed emplacements around the walls. This was completed at a cost of over $700,000.00 and then rebuilt after the city was destroyed by a typhoon on October 12th and 13th. Nonetheless, the city was ready when the fleet arrived. Over 8,000 troops were in position to protect the American sailors. It was a display of force that caused Admiral Emory to initially choose not to put the liberty party ashore given the amount of hostility that was potentially waiting to greet them. Eventually 2,500 officers and men did go ashore.

Select image to get more information and details.

Washington had chosen to make their own statement by only sending half of the fleet under the command of Admiral Emory. The absence of the remainder of the fleet was explained as a need to complete further fleet exercises. In the international community it would only be interpreted as a diplomatic snub. China chose to overlook the reduction in fleet numbers choosing to recognize the visit as a sow of support of Chinese nationalism.

Pleasure City was like an amusement park for the American sailor. Sports were organized to provide fleet competition while sailors were served beer and ice cream. The pavilions were equipped with stages with magic and acrobatic shows. It was a visit where the crew members were given gifts. Trophies worth $1200.00 where given to the winning team in baseball and football. Individual ship captains were given silver bowls, Wardrooms were given table and chair sets, and enlisted men received cloisonné vases as the one shown here.

On the final day, November 4th, a fireworks demonstration, the largest in Chinese history, was provided for the entertainment of the sailors. Unfortunately, the city caught fire and burned the city down. The Chinese accused sailors of looting the building and Admiral Emory brought crews back aboard ships and departed the harbor at dawn.

The below photos are from the Souvenir Program shown above. It contains schedules for the various sporting events, menus, and a selection of photos for the area around the Pleasure City. Generally not much remains from this visit. It is reported that the fire burned 10,000 postcards on the last day which were probably waiting to be mailed.

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