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A Royal Hawaiian Welcome arranged for the Fleet

As the Fleet approached the Islands on July 16^th they made a close pass to the Island of Molokai which was operated as a leper colony. The fleet at 4 miles was an impressive site for the settlement and their visit was appreciated by the Jesuit brothers. Three Divisions then preceded directly to the island of Ohau and anchored off Diamond Head.

Real photo postcard from the Floral Parade mailed by
Frank Lesher, USS Virginia.
(select card to see front and back image)

Fleet Anchorage with Diamond Head in the Background

On July 16th the fleet rounded Diamond Head an anchored off Honolulu. From here they were able to take turns and go pier side to receive coal to top off their bunkers for the next stage of the cruise. Coaling was a long slow process, especially in the tropical heat. For July the temperatures must have been unbearable within the ships as many sailors must have started to sleep topside to avoid the oppressive heat below.

Cards (including the Ex-Queen) mailed from Ben Bentfeld, USS Rhode Island, to Nellie
The Third Division under Rear Admiral Emory had not participated, and had turned south to make a visit to the Island of Maui. The visit to Maui was scheduled to take on coal and to visit with Queen Liliuokalani who had made her residence on the Island since being deposed.

The Ex-Queen, a card mailed from Honolulu

These two cards are from the Frank Lesher collection who was an electrician on board the USS Virginia, part of the Third Division that visited Maui. Frank was on of the sailors granted liberty from the ship and was able to go ashore in Maui to purchase these cards.

The Royal Throne Room and Casket where the crown of former days is kept.

A detachment of officers led by Admiral Emory met with the queen at her home and listened to her talk of the Islands and what had been taken from her. Admiral Emory discussed the possibility of the Japanese invading the islands, in a way to say � the American occupation has prevented the Japanese from coming to the Islands. The Queen had replied, �In that case, you people would have been here too, no?� In the end, the visit brought no reconciliation and Admiral Emory and his staff left having confirmed the feelings of the former Queen.

These two cards were mailed while Frank Lesher was ashore in Lahaina, Maui. To read Frank's account of this visit select the link above.

Events of the fleets visit were more along the lines of the fleet entertaining the local islanders than the islanders welcoming the fleet. The United States had annexed the islands in 1898, the result of issues going back to 1893, when American sugar growers, missionaries, and naval officers had overthrown Queen Liiuokalani. During the Fleet's visit they tried to make ammends by sailors marching through Honolulu and bands giving concerts. The battleships rigged their pennants by day and colored lights and fireworks by night.

The above card shows the crew of the Georgia marching through downtown Honolulu. This card is from the series issues by H. H. Stratton at the end of the cruise.

The reception of the Fleet by the Islands was subdued. The 25,000 Japanese inhabitants and the local population remained in seclusion. There were fireworks, but only because July 16^th was Japanese Day on the island. The Anglo-Saxon population did its best to receive the fleet with a great welcome. A parade of 2,500 sailors was planned through downtown Honolulu culminating with sailors each getting a garland of flowers around their neck from one of the Hawaiian women waiting at the end. For fun sailors went to Pearl Harbor or to see the gun emplacements being constructed on the top of Diamond Head. For sure they had an opportunity to enjoy the sun and waves of Waikiki Beach.

These three cards provide views recorded by crewmember cameras while in Hawaii. The first a view from anchorage of Diamond Head with neighboring battleship; center: looking down from the hills to see fleet units anchored off the coast, and right: from the mast, sailors conducting coaling operations while pierside.

his group of cards is from the M. R. Battey collection. A nice photo of Diamond Head and the crew receiving pineapples from a barge along side the ship.

The cards above were mailed home from fleet sailors with one of the popular themes,
the beautiful native people of Hawaii.

The fleet had anchored off Honolulu with a clear view of Diamond Head. From here they were able to take turns and go pier side to receive coal to top off their bunkers for the next stage of the cruise. Coaling was a long slow process, especially in the tropical heat. For July the temperatures must have been unbearable within the ships sitting still and many sailors must have found ways to sleep topside to avoid the oppressive heat below.

As time came to depart the Islands on their next leg, the Fleet was rejoined by the Nebraska having been fumigated and declared fit for service. They were still short one unit upon departure as Minnesota remained behind to receive the mail due from San Francisco. It was well understood the important relationship between mail and morale.

As the ships departed the Admiral added a new element to the ship maneuvering drills during formation steaming. It involved the lead ships pealing off to the right and left and making a circle back into the formation and the end. Unfortunately, it almost led to the first ship fatality when the New Jersey rammed the Nebraska's bow causing a slice that needed repair before the fleet could continue on its way.