Visit of the American 'Great White Fleet' to Australia 1908 - Postcard 1

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W.T.P.

1908

Overview

Colourful postcard depicting the visit of the American 'Great White Fleet' to Australia in 1908. There are many patriotic motifs from both countries portrayed on the card.
Uncle Sam is seen to be greeting a kangaroo in the bottom left corner. There is a large life ring in the centre with a rope extending on the diagonal from the bottom right to which the Australian Red Ensign and the flag of the U.S. (Star Spangled Banner) are suspended.
In the middle of the life ring is an image of the American naval vessel, 'Ohio'. The words on the life ring read 'U.S.A Fleet Welcome to Australia'.There are sprays of native wattle flowers beneath the life ring.
At the top of the card is the date '1908' and either side of that, two red flags relating to the present and the future. In the bottom right corner are the maker's initials.

The card has been sent to a Master J. Goulden Jun. of Eddington, Victoria by his Auntie Cilla.

Historical information

Master J. Goulden appears to be James Finlay Goulden, born 11 May 1903 in Eddington, Victoria. He would have been 5 years of age when he received this card from his Auntie Cilla.

The Great White Fleet was the name given to the group of United States Navy battleships that completed a journey around the globe from December 16, 1907, to February 22, 1909, by order of President Theodore Roosevelt.
It comprised 16 white-painted battleships divided into two squadrons, along with various small escorts.
The fleet visited three ports in Australia - Sydney, Melbourne and Albany - before departing on the next leg of their journey to Manila.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00163

Item type

Themes

Defence > Navy
Social History
Transport

Material

Card