The Great White Fleet Battleship Georgia

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USS Georgia

Georgia was launched by the Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, 11 October 1904, sponsored by Miss Stella Tate, and commissioned at Boston Navy Yard 24 September 1906, Captain R. G. Davenport in command.

After Georgia was fitted out and completed a short shakedown cruise, she joined the Atlantic Fleet as flagship of Division 2, Squadron 1. Georgia departed Hampton Road's 26 March 1907 for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where she participated in gunnery practice with the fleet. After returning briefly to Boston Navy Yard for repairs, Georgia joined with other ships of the Atlantic Fleet in ceremonies opening the Jamestown Exposition. President Thedoore Roosevelt and dignitaries present reviewed the fleet 10 June 1907, and 11 June was proclaimed "Georgia Day" at the exposition in special ceremonies aboard Georgia.

Georgia next sailed with the fleet for target practice in Cape Cod Bay, arriving 15 June. During these drills 15 July, a powder charge ignited prematurely in her aft 8" turret, killing ten offices and men and injuring 11. Condolences for the loss from this tragic accident were received from all over the world. The powerful battleship then participated in the tercentenary of the landing of the first English Colonists 16 to 21 August 1907, after which she rejoined the fleet for battle maneuvers before mooring at League Island, New York, 24 September, for overhaul.

Arriving in Hampton Roads 7 December 1907, Georgia gathered with 15 other battleships, a torpedo boat squadron, and transports for the great naval review preceding the cruise of the Atlantic Fleet to the West Coast. On 16 December President Roosevelt reviewed the assembled "Great White Fleet" and sent it on the first leg of an around-the-world voyage of training, and building of American prestige and good will. Visiting many South American countries an their highly successful cruise, the fleet met with ships of the Pacific Fleet in another review in San Francisco Bay for the Secretary of the Navy 8 May 1908. Then Georgia, in company with other battleships and supply vessels, departed San Francisco 7 July 1908 for the second leg of the cruise, showing the flag and bringing the message of American sea power to many parts of the world, including the Philippine islands, Australia, Japan, and Mediterranean ports. The fleet returned to Hampton Roads 22 February 1909.

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