The Fleet Arrives in California
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The postcard artwork for the fleet visit to California was some of the best seen throughout the cruise. Centered in the art neuvou style the cards typically had a women welcoming the fleet sailor to California. At left a card with foldout from the University of California at Berkley. |
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Sunset magazine's May issue welcomed the fleet to California with an issue devoted to the visit and the components of the fleet. It include and article about the significance of the fleet written by the Naval Constructor, that addressed the concerns raised by Reuterdahl. It also contained portraits of the Admirals and Captains, and photographs of the interiors of the ships, including a picture of the Connecticut's Wardroom. The image below is the 6-page foldout included in the issue. Select the image to see a larger form. |
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Hats off to Teddy's Fleet Some had a political twist to them, as in this one with California's state bear and Roosevelt's 'Teddy' dated May 1908 with an inset of the USS California. "There is one thing our state can't beat, I bare a head to Teddy's Fleet." |
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California was excited to receive the fleet. The arrival provided a clear message to Japan that the U.S. Government was willing to act to control immigration from Japan to the West Coast, and that any plans to attack would be met by a large naval force. From San Diego to San Francisco, the fleet was received with welcoming crowds and paraded through the heart of cities. With Admiral Evans having left the Fleet in Magdalena for Palo Robles spa, Admiral Thomas was in command and recognized that Californians might treat the sailors "too good." It seemed that there would be no shortage of girls and alcohol in California. Thomas requested that local authorities limit the offer of "free drinks" to sailors during liberty, but the Fleet was met by a boat filled with the town's most beautiful girls when it arrived in San Diego. The foldout to the left is from the Berkley card above. The verse at the bottom: "This little bookelt has been prepared that the wives and sweethearts, the mothers and dear ones at home may know of our leve for the boys of the Navy and our pride in their acheivements." |
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For the next 38 days the Fleet traveled north along the coast to visit the cities of California. Leaving San Diego, they visited Los Angeles by dividing the Fleet into its four divisions to visit San Pedro, Redondo, Long Beach and Santa Monica. They then moved north to Monterey and Santa Cruz before arriving in San Francisco where they were met by other fleet units and a huge celebration. |
I Select card for an "arrival of the fleet" panorama. |
At this time the plans of the Fleet to continue on to the South Pacific and around the world were well known. Certainly many Californians might have looked at the Fleet's visit as an opportunity to send them off to fight for their country in a manner that would be remembered.
My collection from California contains cards cancel from ship visitors and of events of the fleet's visit. Fanjoy cards celebrating the fleet's arrival are found in the "series cards" of this site.
Copyright(c) 2002 My Company. All rights reserved.
Bill@GreatWhiteFleet.info