Your TR Source
The Duane G. Jundt Theodore Roosevelt Collection features high-quality scans of stereographs, postcards, and an advertisement for an upcoming article by A. T. Mahan about the Great White Fleet in the Scientific American. Many of the materials loaned and donated by Jundt have a focus on the navy in the early 20th century.
Duane G. Jundt is a historian, educator, and writer from Iowa, focusing much of his professional career on teaching and learning about Theodore Roosevelt. His publications on Roosevelt have included Roosevelt’s time in North Dakota, his interest and involvement in conservation efforts, his ornithological interests, his involvement in football regulations, and everything in-between. Jundt has been involved in cataloging the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal for the TRC’s digital library. Jundt is involved closely with the TRA and is a friend of the TRC.
To view items from the Duane G. Jundt Theodore Roosevelt Collection, please see below.
Colorized postcard of a teddy bear wearing an outfit decorated with beads and patches and a feathered headdress. The bear is standing up and holding a bow and arrow. A note on the reverse asks the recipient of the postcard if her teddy bear looks like the one on the front.
Duane G. Jundt Theodore Roosevelt Collection
1909
Colored stereograph of the bow of the USS Indiana. Text on the reverse of the stereograph discusses the considerations that must be made when constructing a battleship for “effective aggressive and defensive warfare,” such as guns and armor, coal intake, and missile defense.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “A battleship is a wonder of design and construction. Every known device is employed, every branch of human knowledge and skill is laid under contribution to achieve perfection in a thousand details. A battleship must be prepared for effective aggressive and defensive warfare, which means that it must carry the most powerful guns and ammunition known, must have good speed, must be able to travel a considerable distance without recoaling, and, above all, must be protected from serious damage by the enemy’s missiles. The task of those who plan a new battleship is, therefore, a very complicated and difficult one. The enormous weight of the armor, of the guns and the coal that must be carried, cause a large displacement, which again necessitates powerful engines to drive the ship through the water, and the running of the engines requires vast quantities of coal. Add to this the necessity of comfortable quarters for the officers and men, large rooms for storing provisions and the paramount requirement of ample room for handling the guns, and you have an idea how much ingenuity it takes to plan and build one of these floating fortresses.”
Stereographic image of the U.S. Dreadnaught North Dakota. Sailors can be seen lining the edges of its deck.
Duane G. Jundt Theodore Roosevelt Collection
1910-1917
Colorized stereograph showing the USS Missouri and the USS Alabama at Hampton Roads. Text on the reverse of the stereograph lists the captains and various features of each ship.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “This magnificent view of the Missouri and Alabama was made at Hampton Roads in the summer of 1907. The Missouri is commanded by G. A. Merriam, and is in the third division of the second squadron. The Missouri is in the same class and has the same displacement as the Maine and Ohio, being 12,500 tons and 18 knots an hour speed.
The Alabama, Captain T. E. W. Veeder. This battleship is in the fourth division under Rear-Admiral Sperry, has a displacement of 11,552 tons and a speed of 17 knots. It is in the fourth class and carries 18 guns over four inches and two 12-inch guns in her turrets.”
Colorized stereograph showing many sailors enjoying recreation hour on board the USS Georgia. Text on the reverse of the stereograph discusses recreation time aboard navy ships and various features of the Georgia.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “This view was taken September 17th, 1907, by special permission. The Jackies are allowed on certain hours to disport themselves on the deck, called ‘for’d,’ and enjoy themselves to their heat’s content. This view is taken from the top of the turret and the big 12-inch guns will be noticed, as well as the monster anchor chain. The Georgia is the flagship of the second division of the first squadron and has a displacement of 15,000 tons and a speed of 19 knots an hour. Commander, Rear-Admiral Henory.”
Colorized stereograph of a sailor peeling potatoes on board the USS Connecticut. The sailor has a small tattoo on his forearm. Next to the sailor, a collared goat is seen eating potato peels. Text on the reverse of the stereograph discusses pets on navy ships.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “Every ship in Uncle Sam’s Navy has some animal made a pet of by the sailors, a dog or a goat, a monkey or some other animal. On board the flagship Connecticut a goat was adopted by the boys and was a great pet and much beloved from ‘Fighting Joe’ down to the sailor-boy, but one day poor Billy died and now another goat is religiously disposing of the potato pealings [sic].
As seen in the view the cook is pealing the potatoes and the billy-goat is eating the pealings [sic].”
Colorized stereograph showing a tailor on a ship working at a sewing machine. The tailor is wearing a white uniform and is smoking a pipe. A second sailor in a white uniform is sitting in the background. Text on the reverse of the stereograph comments on the importance of tailoring work onboard any navy ship.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “No one is in greater demand on board ship than the ship’s tailor, and he has his hands full all of the time. The repairing end of the business is the heaviest and the strict discipline on board ship makes neatness and cleanliness come next to obedience. Every sailor must keep his clothes in repair and is taught to use the needle and thread almost as soon as he starts in to be a sailor.”
Colorized stereograph showing a tattooed sailor shaving another sailor as three others watch aboard the USS Missouri. Text on the reverse of the stereograph includes information about shaving on board the ship and praises the physique of the sailors.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “This is another flash-light picture taken after considerable difficulty by our Stereoscopic Artist on board the Missouri. Some of the boys can shave themselves and others are not able, and the sailor who is not able to shave himself has to avail himself of the first opportunity that presents itself to him, and he is now being shaved by a friend or comrade. Thrown together closely and isolated, the sailors have to depend on one another for many comforts in the shape of tailoring, shaving and that sort of thing. We wish to draw your attention again to the fine physique of the men.”
Colorized stereograph of the galley on the USS Connecticut. Several sailors are cooking, cleaning, and supervising. Text on the reverse of the stereograph describes the work done in the galley.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “Another wonderful exhibition of Stereoscopic Art. This is the Cooks’ Galley on board the great flagship Connecticut. The sailor boys are told off to help the cook. The sailor in the fore part of the picture is cooking coffee in a monster copper boiler. Further back you will notice a long steel range, and the cook is way in the rear superintending the cooking. Everything is clean and bright and polished in the Cooks’ Galley, and is inspected three times a day by a commissioned officer to see that everything is right.”
Colorized stereograph showing three sailors in white uniforms writing letters aboard the USS Connecticut, with another sailor standing in the background. Text on the reverse of the stereograph describes the boxes each sailor receives to hold their personal items.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “One of the odd sights that strikes a visitor to a battleship is the curious little tiers of small boxes about a foot square ranged in rows near hammocks. These boxes are made of aluminum or some light metal so that in case of fire or a shot striking or going through and fire taking place the boxes would not ignite. These little boxes are numbered and each box represents a sailor, and all his little belongings are in his box, including his sweetheart’s photograph, letters from home and mother, needles and thread, buttons, stationary, etc. When a sailor joins a ship this little box is given him as his personal private receptacle to hold his knick-knacks, etc. A number is given him and he is allowed to take this box down at certain times and write his letters, as illustrated in the view in front.
This view was taken on board the flagship Connecticut and shows the boys writing their letters to the folks at home.”
Colorized stereograph showing the port side of the USS Pennsylvania. The battleship is decorated with flags and is painted white. Several soldiers in blue uniforms can be seen on the deck and in rowboats in the water. Another ship is in the background. Text on the reverse of the stereograph details various features of the Pennsylvania, including the speed, displacement, and guns on board. The text also discusses the newly formed Pacific Fleet, of which the Pennsylvania is a part.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “America’s fastest cruiser, the Pennsylvania, has the reputation of being the grey-hound of the American fleet and has made the phenomenal speed of 23 knots, equal to about 27 miles an hour on land. This is the speed of an ordinary train. It has a displacement of 13, 680 tons and carries 18 guns.
On December 19th, 1907, the United States has had massed on the Pacific Coast a magnificent fleet of this type of cruiser, twelve in number, in three divisions, commanded by Rear-Admiral Dayton, Rear-Admiral Swyburn and Rear-Admiral Sebree. This fleet, together with the battleships Nebraska and Wisconsin, and a torpedo flotilla, are at the date mentioned above waiting for the great battleship fleet on its way to join them in the Pacific.”
Colorized stereograph of the USS Oregon. Several soldiers, many wearing white uniforms, can be seen on the deck of the ship, and an American flag is raised at the back of the ship. Text on the reverse of the stereograph details the history of the Oregon as a battleship in the Spanish-American War, as well as various features of the ship and the armaments on board.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “Even if we have a magnificent fleet going around the Horn, we must not forget the Oregon that made the phenomenal trip from San Francisco and took part in the battle at Santiago while the nation held its breath, while American learnt what a battleship really meant, nor can we in this generation forget the Oregon even if it has not the first place in our fleet; it has the first place in our hearts, so in presenting the magnificent types of battleships we offer you no apology for giving you a view of the battleship Oregon.
The battleship Oregon is of special interest on account of her trip from the Pacific Coast around Cape Horn to Key West to fight the nation’s battles. Leaving San Francisco March 12th, 1898, she arrived at Jupiter Inlet, Florida, May 24th, covering a distance of 17,000 miles with pauses for coal only, without a break of any sort, and played an important part in the destruction of Cervera’s fleet. After her long journey, without having had any repairs, she gave chase to and aided in defeating the Christobal Colon, one of the fleetest cruisers in the world.
Colorized stereograph showing the starboard side of the USS Washington. An American flag is seen flying on the bow of the ship. Text on the reverse of the stereograph details the various capabilities and armaments of the Washington.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “”In this set of Stereoscopic Views the publishers have not only given the public up-to-date views of the great battleships, but also the great cruisers and the different types of ships in the American Navy that compose the mighty fleet now in existence.
The Washington is called the ‘race horse’ of the United States Navy, and has made a speed of 23 knots an hour and has turned some nautical stunts in making time. She is now in the second division of the first squadron of the armored cruiser fleet on the Pacific Coast under the command of Captain A. M. Knight. She carries a larger crew and more guns than any other cruiser excepting the twin ship Tennessee.”
Colorized stereograph showing the USS West Virginia with another ship behind it in the background. Two sailors on a small boat can be seen on the water in the foreground. Both of the larger ships are adorned with colorful flags. Text on the reverse of the stereograph lists John B. Milton as the captain of the ship and comments on the speed of the ship.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “This is one of the United States’ fastest cruisers, commanded by Captain John B. Milton, in the armored cruiser fleet in the Pacific December 19th, 1907. This cruiser is the same type as the Colorado and the Maryland, and has a phenomenal record of 22 1/2 knots an hour. It is considered one of the fastest grey-hounds in this magnificent fleet of armored cruisers and should there be any war the West Virginia would give a good account of itself.”
Colorized postcard showing the USS Ohio painted white and decorated with flags. Another unnamed ship can be seen in the distance. Text on the reverse of the stereograph details the history of the Ohio and lists various features of the ship.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “Second squadron of the second division under the command of Rear-Admiral Charles M. Thomas. This battleship is of the Maine and Missouri type; has the same displacement and the same armament and carries the same complement of crew, but is a slower sailer, making 17 knots. Her trial trip for speed was not satisfactory but she has not lost this average in her later trials. The Ohio is one of three battleships built in San Francisco and launched in 1901. She mounts four 12-inch guns in her turrets and is considered one of the powerful battleships of the American Navy, although not in the first class. On this battleship was installed the great firing system, where a secret telegraph or system is brought about, showing the range of the enemy’s fleet. This is a secret known only to the United States Navy. Captain, Charles W. Barrett.”
Captain A. T. Mahan will be writing an authoritative article about the composition of the Great White Fleet and the reasons for sending it first to the Pacific Coast, and then around the world. The article will feature in an upcoming double-size special Navy edition of Scientific American, which will be available December 7, 1907.
Duane G. Jundt Theodore Roosevelt Collection
1907
Colorized stereograph of the USS Maine docked in port. Text on the reverse of the stereograph notes Giles B. Harber as the commander of the vessel and lists various features of the battleship.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “Captain Giles Harber, Commander; 12,500 tons displacement; 18 knots an hour; carries 20 guns over 4-ince; has broadside battery of 4-inch guns; two 12-inch guns in each turret. Its place in the fleet is in the third division of the second squadron. Although the Maine is comparatively new, she is not classed with the Georgia or Connecticut. These are two battleships of later build with three to four thousand tons greater displacement and carrying one-third more guns.”
Colorized stereograph showing five battleships during the 1906 naval parade in Oyster Bay. Each ship is painted white and is decorated with colorful flags. Text on the reverse of the stereograph list the USS Louisiana, USS Connecticut, and USS Vermont as the ships in the image and describes the capabilities of the battleships in the squadron.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “This is a view of the three great battleships on the day of the great naval parade at Oyster Bay in the summer of 1906. One of the great difficulties in photography is the getting of a view at a distance and still preserve the details, and if you will notice there are five battleships actually in sight in this view. These battleships compose, with the Kansas, the first division of the squadron of the battle fleet ordered to the Pacific.
The first battleship in view is the Louisiana, and the second is the Connecticut, the flagship, and the third the Vermont. All of these battleships are of the first-class type, having a displacement of 16,000 tons and sailing 18 knots an hour, all carrying 24 guns four inches and over in size, having four to six 12-inch guns mounted in turrets with a striking energy of three miles, or in other words, any one of the 12-inch monsters can hit and destroy at a distance of five miles.”
Colorized stereograph showing the USS Indiana in a dry dock in the New York Naval shipyard. Many individuals can be seen on the deck of the ship. Text on the reverse of the stereograph mentions the opportunity for visitors to see the battleship as it is being repaired.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “This battleship is in the dry dock, Brooklyn Navy Yard, and is a wonderful sight to see. Here we have been fortunate enough to secure a view of one of the great leviathans, one of the links in Uncle Sam’s armor, undergoing repairs and getting ready for the long cruise around the Horn. It is often necessary to dock a battleship for repairs, etc., and during that even thousands of visitors from all parts of the United States go to the navy yard to see the sight. By observing closely the sailors on the staging you will get an idea of what a monster a battleship is. This is the battleship Indiana.”
Colorized stereograph showing the USS Puritan. Several sailors and crew can be seen standing on the deck of the ship. Text on the reverse of the stereograph lists the ship measurements and armaments, the number of crew on board, and the cost to build the ship.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “The United States double-turret monitor Puritan is used in coast defense. Its keel was laid in 1875. Its length is 289 feet 6 inches; breadth, 60 feet 1 inch; draft, 18 feet; speed, 12.4 knots; horse power, 3,700. Coal capacity, 410 tons. Thickness of armor plate, 14 inches. Officers and men, 222. Cost, $3,178,046.
This type of warship is of great value. It can be used as a floating battery in coast defense, having 12-inch guns of the modern type.”