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:
For further pictorial coverage of the "Great White
Fleet":
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.
For more images taken during the Fleet's passage through
the Straits of Magellan, see:
For further pictorial coverage of the "Great White
Fleet":
NOTES:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions. |
Page made 21 October 2008
Coding updated 13 April 2009