Caleb Haught Great White Fleet

The Great White Fleet was a fleet of sixteen ships that Theodore Roosevelt ordered to sail around the world. The purpose of this mission was to gain power and to gain attention from the rest of the world. Roosevelt thought that in order for the United States to keep there global power that they would have to in crease the strength of there naval fleet. With this mission, Roosevelt was also trying to show off to Japan that the U.S. could move there navy into the Pacific. This voyage was not an eases task for the navy.

       As this fleet went from one port to another many people began to become interested and began to follow the fleets progress. It fascinated the world. As the fleet broke multiple records  they grew in popularity which made it a big deal when they would port at your city. While traversing the ocean the Panama Canal was not yet open so the fleet had to take the Straights of Magellan. This type of mission was unheard of in the history of the United States. When the fleet ported in Monterey, California a hotel hosted a ball for the members of the fleet.

       The Great White Fleet improved experience for the member of the navy and the ship captains. Sperry, the ship captain, ported at Gibraltar before returning to the Atlantic and heading for Hampton Roads. Roosevelt and a cheering crowd awaited for the fleet on shore. After fourteen months of cruising across the world they had returned. This journey proved that the U.S. was capable of making long trips without a mechanical blowout. The U.S. had proved that they deserve t

he spotlight.

       This voyage allowed the U.S. and the U.S. navy to gain knowledge. With experience there is knowledge. The navy learned improvements in coal economy. Coal economy means essentially the way that the navy uses coal. They learned improvements in formation steaming and gunnery. Along with learning new techniques they learned to not fear the unknown.

       Traveling across the world in a fleet of ships without the technology and communication  that is omnipresent in the U.S. today is extremely impressive. Roosevelt was successful in trying to persuade Japan and the world that the U.S. is superior. In order for these men and there fleet of ships to make it back alive and unharmed they had to learn to work together better than ever and had to do it without

many tools. It was a bold move by Roosevelt to send these ships. It was also shocking to the world for these men to be doing this.

       The Great White Fleet was a remarkable journey amongst men and there ships. It illustrated the power that the U.S. military had. It also allowed for the men and the world to test there boundaries. The journey gave hope and confidence to the world and the U.S. nation.