Influenza outbreak of 1918

World War I began on July 28, 1914 and it broke out because Austria's Archduke, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated. When World War I started it was between the allied forces, France, the United Kingdom and Russia, and the Central powers, Germany and Austria-Hungary.

The US got into the war for two reasons. The first was that Germany sank a British ship which the US considered neutral and which help 159 american passengers. The second reason was the Zimmerman telegram which was from Germany to Mexico that promised parts of the US territory to return to Mexico once Germany started the war with the US. On April 6,1917 the US declared war on Germany.

World War I ended on June 28, 1919 in Belgium after Germany invaded it. 

Postcards

Port of Spain 1907

Dear Family,

Today we stopped at our first port. It is December 23, 1907 and we are at the Port of Spain in Trinidad, which is off of the coast of Venezuela. The reason why this Great White Fleet is taking place is because President Roosevelt wants to make sure that Japan knows he can move his fleets from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He also wants to know how we, the troops, handle a situation like this. I know ya'll didn't understand why I joined the fleet, but all my buddies were doing it and I thought it would help my country I already miss home so much but I know this is what I'm suppose to be doing. I cannot wait to see everyone. Trinidad really makes me miss home. There is nothing to do here. We are all so bored and are just ready to move on with the fleet. Hopefully we will move from this place soon.

Love, Rick

Rio de Janeiro 1908

Dear Family,

The fleet is now in Rio de Janeiro and it is January 13,1908. We had an inncodent happen today though. A group of us were at a bar in Rio and out of no where a bottle came and hit my friend, a sailor from Louisiana, and a fight broke out. After the police broke up the fight we were sent back to our ships and that was it. Everyone got over it by the next day and we continued to have fun in Rio. While we were here we joined in with some of the political parades that were going on and had a fun time marching with them throughout the city. Even though this stop was more fun than the last, I still miss home and can not wait to see all of you. I hope all of ya'll are doing well. I love ya'll.

Love,Rick

Straits of Magellan

Dear Family,

On January 21, 1908 and we left Rio and headed for the Straits of Magellan. There were rumors that there are winds called wiliwaws that have the ability to toss your ship around and rip it to pieces and the people would end up on the shores of Desolation Bay and others like it that are inhabited by cannibals. This is very frightening for all of us to think about especially as we enter the region where this is very possible. Lucky for us, a Chilean cruiser met our ships and led us through the Straits. We did not encounter any of the problems that we were scared of thankfully. I am just happy to be in and out and headed for Peru. I wish to see the family soon.

Love, Rick

Callao,Peru 

Dear Family,

Today it is February 20, 1908 and we just docked in Callao, Peru which is just north of Lima. Today is the end of the nine-day celebration for George Washington's Birthday. Since this celebration was a big deal to all of us Americans, the people of Peru thought it would be a good idea to join in. The Peruvian composer, Ce'sar Penizo, composed a dance piece for us called the "The White Squadron". The Peruvians were trying really hard to make all of us feel at home and it was really appreciated. I hope that all of ya'll are doing well back at home. I hope to be home soon. I love and miss ya'll.

Love, Rick

Magdelena Bay, Baja, California 

Dear Family,

Today we anchored in Magdalena Bay and it is March 12, 1908. We are here to practice our gunnery exercises. We are also here until the California coastal cities can get us into their ports. All we know is that they are trying their hardest to get us into their ports but its going to take time. Ulysses S. Grant Jr. is trying to make it so that we can port directly into the San Diego Harbor. Bad news is that word came back from the president and it said that if the ships tried to stop there they would be permanently stuck in the mud. So we had to port in Coronado instead. I miss all of you so very much.

Love, Rick

Sydney, Australia

Dear Family,

We docked in Sydney, Australia in August 20, 1908. We were greeted by numerous amounts of people that had been waiting there all night so they made sure they wouldn't miss any of our ships come in. After they greeted us we celebrated together for the next eight days in honor of us. We saw some very strange animals while we were there including the kangaroo mascot they presented to Lt. John E. Lewis of the USS Connecticut. In all it was a very good visit but very we are growing very tired also. Can't wait to be home I think I might sleep for a month. Love ya'll and miss ya'll.

Love, Rick

Tokyo, Japan

Dear Family,

We docked in Japan on October 10, 1908. We had to dock here because while we were on our way to the South China Sea we ran into the worst typhoon that has happened in 40 years. The typhoon took place right off of Formosa. You could hardly see anything looking out over the sea. It was terrifying. One of the sailors on another boat was picked up by a huge wave and miraculously thrown onto the dock of our boat before anything major could happen to him. Somehow we got through the storm without anything being damaged. We then approached the Tokyo Bay where they would only let first-class men with no alcohol in their past come ashore. I just stayed on the boat with all of my buddies which was fine with me. I really do miss home and every day I just get more and more tired. I can't wait to be home and see ya'll.

Love, Rick

Amoy, China

Dear Family,

On November 1, 1908 we docked on the Chinese island of Amoy. The Peking government was a little embarrassed and disappointed because we only showed up with eight battleships and they were suspecting sixteen. Apparently it influenced the "losing face" that the Chinese were so caught up with so to make them feel better we told them that the other ships were in the middle of a typhoon, which that did help them get over it.  We had to try this shark fin soup while we were there. I didn't really know how I felt about it but we all sucked it up so we wouldn't embarrass them anymore. I miss home so much and will be there soon. I hope all of ya'll and still doing well. Love ya'll.

Love, Rick



Source:

Great White Fleet – History and Memorabilia

Naval History – Great White Fleet

Great White Fleet Information – Library of Congress
The Cruise of the Great White Fleet