In 1908, a fleet of the United States Navy conducted a world cruise. Amongst those ports visited were Auckland in New Zealand and Sydney and Melbourne in Australia. It was a memorable event. All berths on the Wimmera were booked in anticipation of her arrival in Auckland which coincided with that of the American fleet on the morning of 8 August 1908.

Cover of the Official Programme for the visit of the American Fleet to New Zealand, Auckland, August 1908.
Cover of the Official Programme for the visit of the American Fleet to New Zealand, Auckland, August 1908. Author’s Collection.

It would be a view that none onboard could forget and although the early morning arrival was … by fog, the impressive battleships, cruisers and other warships …

Visit American Fleet. Advertisement in the Poverty Bay
Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11332, 18 July 1908, Page 1

© Ralph L. Sanderson 2004-2021