1908 \"GREAT WHITE FLEET\" WORLD CRUISE USS VERMONT BATTLESHIP PINBACK BUTTON 2\"+ For Sale

• PINBACK BUTTON OF THE USS VERMONT BATTLESHIP
• MARKED \"SOUVENIR ARRIVAL ON THE PACIFIC, ATLANTIC SQUADRON VERMONT\"
• FROM THE 1908 GREAT WHITE CRUISE.
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• MEASURES 2-1/8\" IN DIAMETER.
• NO FOXING OR CRACKS
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• I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS PIN BEFORE AND I COULD NOT FIND ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THIS SERIES ON THE INTERNET

Ordered by President Theodore Roosevelt from December 1907 to February 1909, the Great White Fleet—16 U.S. Navy battleships painted white—circumnavigated the globe to showcase American naval power and diplomatic strength. During 1908, the fleet traveled from the U.S. West Coast across the Pacific, visiting Honolulu, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, marking America\'s emergence as a major global power.

Key Aspects of the 1908 Voyage:

Purpose: The cruise demonstrated U.S. naval capacity, particularly to Japan, and served as critical training for long-distance maritime operations.

Itinerary: After touring California in May 1908, the fleet visited Honolulu, Auckland (New Zealand), Sydney and Melbourne (Australia), Manila (Philippines), Yokohama (Japan), and Colombo (Ceylon) before heading toward the Suez Canal.

The Fleet: The 16 battleships were divided into two squadrons under Rear Admiral C. S. Sperry, who took command after Admiral Bob Evans fell ill early in the voyage.

Significance: It was a crucial training exercise for sailors on self-maintenance, as the ships largely operated without navy yards.

Logistics: Over 200,000 tons of coal were required, necessitating the chartering of foreign vessels to supply the fleet.

The fleet, symbolizing peace through strength, returned to Hampton Roads, Virginia, in February 1909.