Great White Fleet Centennial Exhibit Opens in New York City
Story Number: NNS071116-11
Release Date: 11/16/2007 2:47:00 PM
By Lt. Lesley Lykins, Navy Office of Information, East Public Affairs
NEW YORK (NNS) -- The grand opening of the Great White Fleet Centennial Exhibit was held Nov. 14 at The Ukrainian Institute of America in New York City.
The exhibit is sponsored by The New York Council, Navy League of the United States, in collaboration with the Naval Historical Center. The opening allows citizens to reflect on the past while focusing on the future. It features photos, postcards, news accounts, a ship model and memorabilia commemorating the world cruise of the U.S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet, also known as the Great White Fleet, dispatched by then President Theodore Roosevelt from December 1907 to February 1909.
"The Navy League's mission is to work to nationally educate the American people and the government on the importance of our maritime services. This exhibit does that," said Rick Kenney, executive director of the New York Council, Navy League. "President (Theodore) Roosevelt's idea of a fleet to travel around the world served a number of purposes that today 100 years later are still pertinent to our Navy."
Kenney gave the keynote speech provided by the honorable Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter, when his plane was delayed due to weather. Kenney relayed Winter's description of Roosevelt's reasons for proposing a worldwide tour of 16 battleships to the over 300 New Yorkers in attendance at the opening.
"The tour was first and foremost a demonstration of the fledgling Navy's strength. The tour was also envisaged as a diplomatic outreach to foreign lands, particularly countries such as Australia and Japan," read Kenney from Winter's remarks.
The Great White Fleet made significant strides in diplomatic relations with Japan, demonstrating that the United States was not a combative nation, but instead wanted to engage.
"The world cruise was operational as well, to test and evaluate the fleet during peacetime," relayed Kenney. "At the time it was unknown if ships of that type could be sent on such a journey and survive and once they returned what condition would they be in. There were a lot of improvements made to battleships upon the fleet's return."
One of the important objectives of the Great White Fleet was to rally U.S. public opinion in support of the Navy. Roosevelt realized he needed to win over reticent members of congress to support his ambitious ship building program.
"One hundred years later nothing has changed," said Kenney. "Our nation is a maritime nation founded by maritime people with oceans on either side. It is essential to have a strong maritime force. The Navy League supports the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy. If the Secretary of the Navy asks for a 313 ship Navy the Navy League will rally the nation to get him the ships that he needs."
Kenney's remarks and the message portrayed through Winter's speech were echoed by fellow members of the New York Council, Navy League stressing the importance of educating the public through history.
"It is very important that we not only preserve our past, but learn from it as well," said Mary Cava, a member of the New York Council, Navy League and National Arts Club. "We have such an opportunity with this exhibit."
The ceremony was opened by Dr. Daniel Thys, president of the New York Council, Navy League, who thanked all of the people that worked to put the exhibit together. He singled out Dr. Michael Crawford, early history staff, Naval Historical Center, for conceiving the idea to provide such an exhibit and thanked Michael McGrath, national president of the Navy League for attending the opening ceremony.
Retired Rear Adm. Paul Tobin, director of naval history, acknowledged the early history staff at the Naval Historical Center for their hard work and dedication to the exhibit.
"These are just the type of wonderful people that we have at the (Naval Historical) Center. They love this," said Tobin.
The exhibit, which will run from Nov. 14-30, received high praise from those in attendance.
"It is fascinating. I love the pictures, the history," said Jackie Nixon, a native of New York City. "I don't really know much about the Navy so I am learning a lot tonight."
"This is a wonderful educational experience about how America built its Navy," said Richard J. Rapaport, a member of the New York Council, Navy League.
