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Photo # NH 1839:  Great White Fleet battleships anchored off Punta Arenas, Chile in earlyFebruary 1908

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- The 1900s

World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet", December 1907 - February 1909
-- Visit to Punta Arenas, Chile, February 1908

On 1 February 1908, in the midst of its passage through the Straits of Magellan, the Atlantic Fleet's battleships arrived at Punta Arenas ("Sandy Point" to English speakers), Chile. There they were to replenish the coal burned during nearly 2400 miles of steaming after leaving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ten days previously. The waters immediately off the city were full of shipping: tramp steamers, colliers, the 3400-ton British cruiser Sappho and the 4160-ton cruiser Chacabuco. The latter had Chilean Vice Admiral Simpson and U.S. Envoy John Hicks embarked, the former acting as a gracious host to the visiting fleet.

Since Fleet Commander in Chief Evans was now chronically unwell, Rear Admiral Charles M. Thomas, commander of the Second Squadron, took his place at diplomatic and social functions. Though not nearly as extensive as those held in the vastly larger metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, they still kept a fair portion of the fleet's officers busy. USS Maine's Midshipman Harold Bemis, an acquaintance of Minister Hicks, served as the diplomat's Naval Aide during some of these occasions. Attending a ball at the U.S. Consul's residence, he remarked that "there was a superabundance of officers and a dearth of pretty girls", but he had a "delightful time", meeting many interesting people and learning Chilean dances. Bemis had other enjoyable experiences at another reception ashore, at the Fleet's own ball on board Admiral Thomas' flagship, USS Minnesota, and at a dinner given by the Chacabuco's Midshipmen.

Bemis described the Punta Arenas and its vicinity at length in his diary, noting that "This is a great country for sheep", some of which soon joined the Americans' diet. Ashore, when not attending in social engagements, the fleet's officers and men enjoyed what limited sightseeing the small city allowed. Despite notably high prices, they also purchased local goods like furs and Indian articles. Some fortunates were able to get away on hunting expeditions.

Coaling commenced on the Fleet's first day at Punta Arenas. The always fuel-hungry Maine went alongside a hired English collier on 3 February and her men loaded 1465 tons in 26 hours of steady work. Other ships were equally busy, with a total of twenty thousand tons of coal taken in from four colliers. When this essential work was completed, the fleet hoisted anchors for the second stage of its trip through the Straits. Punta Arenas, which would never again see so many big warships, was left behind just before February 7th came to an end.

This page features views concerning the "Great White Fleet"'s visit to Punta Arenas, during its passage through the Straits of Magellan in February 1908.

For more images taken during the Fleet's passage through the Straits of Magellan, see:

  • -- From Atlantic to Pacific, January - February 1908.

    For further pictorial coverage of the "Great White Fleet":

  • World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet", December 1907 - February 1909 -- Overview and Special Image Selection.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 1839

    "Great White Fleet" World Cruise
    ,
    December 1907 -- February 1909

    Atlantic Fleet battleships anchored at Punta Arenas, Chile, during their stop there in early February 1908.
    Some of the battleships appear to be taking on coal from colliers tied up alongside.

    Collection of Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright, Jr., 1928.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 110KB; 900 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101482

    Punta Arenas, Chile


    View of the town and harbor, during the visit there of the U.S. "Great White Fleet" in early February 1908.
    Several Chilean warships and U.S. Atlantic Fleet battleships and auxiliaries are anchored in the distance.

    Collection of Chief Quartermaster John Harold.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 107KB; 900 x 555 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 41656

    Punta Arenas, Chile


    View looking out over the harbor in February 1908, during the "Great White Fleet"'s visit.
    Several of the Fleet's white-hulled battleships are visible just offshore.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 98KB; 900 x 520 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 2833

    "Great White Fleet" World Cruise
    ,
    December 1907 -- February 1909

    A cowboy in action at Punta Arenas, Chile, during the Atlantic Fleet's visit there in early February 1908.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 63010

    Punta Arenas, Chile


    Street scene in the town during the visit there of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet in early February 1908.
    Two U.S. Navy Sailors are at left.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 470 pixels

     


    For more images taken during the Fleet's passage through the Straits of Magellan, see:

  • -- From Atlantic to Pacific, January - February 1908.

    For further pictorial coverage of the "Great White Fleet":

  • World Cruise of the "Great White Fleet", December 1907 - February 1909 -- Overview and Special Image Selection.


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 21 October 2008
    Coding updated 13 April 2009