Existing comment:
As a result of the Great White Fleet, US relations with the countries visited were either improved or initially established in a positive way. Notably, the visit to Australia led to important personal contacts between Americans and Australians while strengthening the sense of shared national interests. On August 20, the Fleet was greeted at Sydney, Australia, by half a million people who stayed up all night so as not to miss the ships' arrival. For the next eight days, there was a nonstop celebration in honor of the Navy visitors. With all this celebrating, some of the crewmen were beginning to feel the wear and tear. One sailor was found asleep on a bench in one of Sydney's parks with a sign he had posted a sign [sic] above his head which read: "Yes, I am delighted with the Australian people. Yes, I think your park is the finest in the world. I am very tired and would like to go to sleep." Being truly hospitable, Sydney let him sleep.
Melbourne also rolled out the red carpet for the Fleet. Nothing was too great for the American Sailors, who were given the key to the city. Melbourne's hospitality made such an impression that many sailors were reluctant to leave when the ships got underway for Albany in Western Australia. |