Evans, Robley D. (Robley Dunglison), 1846-1912

Colorized stereograph taken from the bridge of the USS Minnesota at the Jamestown Exposition. The USS Kentucky and the USS Connecticut can be seen in the distance. On the left of the image, a sailor in his dress blue uniform is kneeling, looking through a spyglass. On the reverse of the stereograph is information about the officers of each of the three ships.

Comments and Context

As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “The Bridge of the Minnesota. The Minnesota is the flagship of Rear-Admiral Charles L. [sic] Thomas.

This magnificent view was taken at the Jamestown Exposition from the bridge of the Minnesota by the kind permission of the Captain, and shows the battleship Kentucky, Captain Walter C. Knowles [sic] of the second squadron, and Admiral Evans of the Connecticut in the rear.”

Colorized stereograph celebrating the appointment of Admiral Evans as Commander-in-Chief of the Great White Fleet. Evans is dressed in his officer’s uniform on the front of the stereograph with a draped American flag and a variety of flowers surrounding him. On the reverse of the stereograph is information about Evans’ life and his naval service.

Comments and Context

As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “Admiral Robley D. Evans: Admiral Evans is commander-in-chief of the American fleet; was born in Virginia, fought on the Union side during the Civil War, commanded the Iowa at Santiago, is now Rear-Admiral of the greatest fleet ever assembled by the United States, and will make the longest cruise of any fleet in the history of the world. Admiral Evans is known the world over as “Fighting Bob,” the pride of the American Navy, and the idol of the American sailor. He has a long and interesting history, full of stirring events from the day he graduated from Annapolis up to the present time. He was in the Indian battles of the far West, and had the luck to be present and took an active part in all of the many naval affairs since the Civil War. In August, 1908, he will be made either Vice-Admiral or placed on the retired list.”

Collection

Duane G. Jundt Theodore Roosevelt Collection

This exhaustively illustrated account of the Spanish-American war seeks to present the official history of the war according to the United States War Records Office. It encompasses the events leading up to the war, the war itself, as well as its resolution and aftermath. While it mentions the various engagements taking place during the war, most of the focus is on Cuba and the action of the United States Navy and Army in fighting Spanish forces there in support of Cuban rebels. It additionally includes general information on the theaters of war, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

Collection

Smithsonian

Creation Date

1900

A silk handkerchief featuring a printed map, portraits of President Roosevelt and naval commanders, and pictures of battleships that traveled with the Great White Fleet. The handkerchief was a souvenir for the voyage and was owned by a sailor in the fleet, Charles C. Myers.

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Creation Date

1909

The front cover of this issue features a photograph of President Theodore Roosevelt onboard the presidential yacht USS Mayflower watching the departure of the Great White Fleet. A postcard celebrating the voyage of the fleet appears on the back cover and includes a photograph of Roosevelt, an illustration of the Uncle Sam character, and a list of all the port stops made by the fleet.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1909

James R. Reckner recounts the voyage of the Great White Fleet from December 1907 to February 1909. Reckner looks at the many ports of call made by the flotilla, and he notes some of the entertainment, ceremonies, and honors accorded the fleet as it made its way around the globe. Reckner highlights a change of command necessitated by the poor health of Admiral Robley D. Evans, and he emphasizes the difficulties faced by the ships by a lack of adequate coal supplies at various points in the cruise. Reckner also describes how a part of the fleet came to the aid of Messina, Sicily in the aftermath of an earthquake, and he outlines how important the voyage was to the relationship between the United States and Japan.

The article includes twenty-seven images from the Great White Fleet collection of Bill Stewart, including twenty photographs, five souvenirs, and two postcards.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Genna Rollins provides a brief history of the Great White Fleet dispatched by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907. Rollins notes the reasons behind the cruise, lists some of its port calls, and highlights the importance of the cruise to the United States’ relations with Japan. Rollins also gives notices about a number of events and museum exhibits planned to commemorate the sailing of the fleet, which includes a lecture and exhibits and programs at four museums, including one in Australia. 

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

2007

The logo for the 2006 annual meeting of the Theodore Roosevelt Association appears on the front cover of this issue while the back cover features a photograph of President Theodore Roosevelt onboard the presidential yacht Mayflower with three naval officers and the Secretary of the Navy. 

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

2006

Henry J. Hendrix reviews Kenneth Wimmel’s Theodore Roosevelt and the Great White Fleet: American Sea Power Comes of Age and finds it disappointing because it is “somewhat shallow” in its treatment of the times and figures that marked the rise of American naval power at the turn of the twentieth century. Hendrix notes the importance of Alfred Thayer Mahan, Theodore Roosevelt, and others to the creation of a modern American fleet. 

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

2000

The front cover features a photograph of Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt seated at his desk while the back cover shows President Roosevelt with Admiral Robley D. Evans onboard a ship in 1907.

Photograph of Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans with President Theodore Roosevelt standing on the deck of the presidential yacht the Mayflower.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1907

President Roosevelt and Admiral Robley D. Evans stand on board the Mayflower.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1908-01-21

President Roosevelt and Admiral Robley D. Evans pose on board the Mayflower.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1907-04-29

Photograph showing President Roosevelt meeting with Navy officers on the Mayflower.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1908-01-21

James Buckheit provides a concise history of the voyage of the Great White Fleet from 1907 to 1909. He looks at President Roosevelt’s reasons for assembling and sending the Fleet with an emphasis on its visit to Japan. He notes the foreign policy achievements that stemmed from the Fleet’s trip, and he also describes the recruiting efforts the United States Navy undertook before the cruise to fill its ranks.  

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1976

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1900-12-15

Creator(s)

Metcalfe, James B. (James Bard), 1846-1924

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Collection of newspaper clippings of articles, photographs, and maps showing some of the actors, naval vessels, and events making up parts of the Spanish-American war. Includes some handwritten notes and hand-colored photographs.

Collection

Dickinson State University

Creation Date

1898

John F. Cahill quotes multiple letters from Admiral Evans admiring the service of naval architect Walfrid T. Sylven. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-22

This article includes pictures from President Roosevelt’s naval review of vessels in the United States Navy from September 2, 1906, to September 4, 1906.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-09

An English translation of a flattering article about President Roosevelt published by the Danish magazine Varden. Berthold De Linde describes his first encounter with President Roosevelt as an infantryman in the Spanish-American War. He then details Roosevelt’s life and accomplishments, from his time at Harvard to his ascendance to the presidency. De Linde particularly emphasizes Roosevelt’s strong moral character and tireless battle against corruption.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-15