The Great White Fleet Visits New Zealand

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August 9th to August 15th - Auckland, New Zealand

At the wharf the landing stage was covered with palms and ferns and signs of "Kia Ora Koutou" (Maori for good luck) and "Haere Mai" (Maori for "welcome to you"). About one hundred yards up the street was an immense arch with "Welcome!" on it. The entire length of the highway on both sides as festooned with the beautiful lycopodium fern." Franklin Matthews

The entry to Auckland Harbor included a new formation for the fleet, the "S" Formation. It was designed as a snaking movement to enhance the perspective of the fleet movement into the harbor. "Despite the day, the early hour, and some local confusion concerning the fleet's arrival time, it was estimated that approximately 100,000 people-ten percent of New Zealand's population

- lined the shores of the Waitemata Harbor and Rangitoto Channel to watch as the mist cleared, revealing sixteen gleaming white - and buff-colored battleships led by the Connecticut." from Teddy Roosevelt's Great White Fleet. At left, the fleet at anchor in Auckland harbor.

USS Missouri USS Connecticut USS Wisconsin

Arriving in Auckland, New Zealand Midshipman Lofquist, USS Connecticut, received a Government Railways First Class Pass - FREE! The booklet, shown above is a small leather pass with the information regarding the dates logged on the inside. "until 15th day of August 1908." Below is the program he saved from the Auckland Orphans Club which provided a special evening of events.

"The scene in Auckland as the fleet approached was one of intense activity. The evening before the arrival the finest train of the new North Island Main Trunk Railway set out from Wellington to Auckland with Prime Minister Ward, his cabinet, and many members of Parliament, which had adjourned for the duration of the fleet's visit.

Fleet at Anchor

Finishing touches were being put on extensive decorations throughout the city and thousands of visitors, arriving by steamer, rail, and road, swelled the city's population. With the unconsciousness of world travelers, the American fleet had the temerity of approach New Zealand's shores early on Sunday morning. At 7:10 am on August 9th, as a mist began it lift from the calm surface of Hauraki Gulf, the maritime training ship NZS Amokura broke the early morning silence with a thirteen-gun salute to the commander in chief of the approaching ships.

To see the schedule while in Auckland select: (page1) (page 2)

The postcard above and below are part of a series of photographs that were hand tinted commemorating the fleet visit to New Zealand and printed by Empire Post Cards of New Zealand. The selection above includes Queen Street, the 'Welcome Arch' and the general muster aboard the USS Virginia.

These three cards were part of a series that Empire issued showing the fleet at anchor in Auckland Harbor. At left, the USS Connecticut, middle: USS New Jersey, and right: USS Kansas.

The Program for the fleet reception at the Goverment House held on Tuesday the 11th . The content includes the various dances and and places for the women to sign up various men for a dance.

The cards above show 1) Admiral Sperry's arrival, 2) American Flagship and battleships in Auckland Harbor 9/8/08, 3) USA launches landing, 4) Illuminated battleships.

The landing ceremonies involved more than 20,00 people in Auckland's main thoroughfare, Queen Street, near the wharf. The buildings of the city were decorated with American and British bunting. Blue laws were suspended during the week of the visit as Americans and the military of the Dominion celebrated the visit together. These booklets were issued for the Fleet's visit.

To view pages of the Visit of the American Fleet select Frank Lescher Collection.

The Cards above are from the M. R. Battey photo collection

The Fleet sailor was received with open arms in Auckland. People went out of their way to show them a good time at every turn. Over forty thousand picture postcards were mailed from a special Queen Street post office open only to sailors, and this figure represented only a portion of their total mailings because of the many other post offices. The news media noted that the American propensity to send postcards was "the advertisement of New Zealand."

These two building, decorated for the fleet's visit, show the extent to which the City of Auckland went to greet the sailors of the American Fleet. The building at left, unidentified, displays a picture of Roosevelt and King Edward VII. Below, sailors in the square in front. At right: The Strand Arcade Building photographed by Cartwright.

The welcome arch on lower Queen Street was one of the main attractions and gathering places during the fleet's visit to Auckland to meet sailors and watch them march past during the parade.

The cards shown above were mailed during the fleet visit from sailors on various ships. The two cards at right were issued by the Tourist and Health Department of New Zealand. Additional cards from this series can be seen in the collection from Wilbur Main, USS Virginia.

Left: This program was from the Ellerslie Race Track that had commorative races in honor of the fleet visit. Fleet Day was Wednesday, August 12th and named each race after an admiral, ship or the president.

Right: A souvenir of the fleet's visit that includes photos of captains and ships and advertising for stores along Queen Street.

The above card is from the

M R Batty Collection.

The Fleet's visit included a trip inland to Rotorua, home of the Maori tribesmen. The fierce Maori were described as "the only savage people in the world never conquered by the white man." Admiral Sperry was part of the group that made the trip and was greeted by a Maori chieftain who embarrassed him by shouting "Bully" through a mask of Teddy Roosevelt. The chieftain had the admiral dressed in Maori battle dress and described how the Maoris were seafaring people had sailed in canoes all over the Pacific.

This image was published in the Auckland Weekly News, below.

There were two series of patriotic cards issued for the fleet's visit. Both are similar, providing a frame of flags with a scene of the fleet's visit.

AUCKLAND WEEKLY NEWS

This paper issued a special edition of the fleets visit providing pictures of the fleet in the harbor, activities, photos of the ships, and pictures of the Admirals and government officials. I have taken the time to scan all 24 pages for viewing and reading because it is one of the better records that I have found of the Fleet's visit to Auckland.

Recreation Grounds, New Plymouth, NZ

This card was mail to Miss Dilla Weber from her sailor friend Bob. "I have been ashore here and had a very nice time, The decoration here in Auckalnd is the best htat we have seen yet, and the American Bluejacket is welcome anywhere. This city is crowed with visitors just as pleasant. Love to all, Bob" The card is dated August 13, 1908

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