| Wisconsin joined the battleships of the Atlantic Fleet in setting
out on the transpacific leg of the momentous circumnavigation of the globe
as flagship for Rear Admiral Seaton Schroeder, under the command of
Captain Frank E. Beatty. Wisconsin replaced the USS
Maine (BB-10) to become of 16 Battleships participating in an
unprecidented world cruise, today commonly referred to as the "Great
White Fleet" because the ships were painted in peacetime "white" and "spar."
The cruise of the fleet served as a pointed reminder to Japan of the power
of the United States -- a dramatic gesture made by President Theodore Roosevelt
as signal evidence of his "big stick" policy. Wisconsin, during the
course of her part of the voyage, called at ports in New Zealand, Australia,
the Philippines, Japan, China, Ceylon, and Egypt; transited the Suez Canal;
visited Malta, Algiers, and Gibraltar before arriving in Hampton Roads on
Washington's Birthday, 1909, and passing in review there before President
Roosevelt. The epic voyage had confounded the doomsayers and critics, having
been accomplished without any serious incidents or mishaps.
If you have any additional information please send us e-mail! |
|
|
|
