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This document lists the ships in the largest battleship fleets in each of three countries: England’s Channel Fleet, Germany’s High Sea Fleet, and the United States’s Atlantic Fleet. Notes are included regarding the commission of each fleet and planned replacements, repairs, and additions to the Atlantic Fleet.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-13
A picture of the sixteen battleships making up the Great White Fleet which started their journey from Hampton Roads, Virginia, to the Pacific Ocean.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-16
Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on the battleship collision case. Though the Court of Enquiry recommends a trial by court martial for the captain and deck officer of the Alabama, Bonaparte doubts that he will be convicted, and his doubts are shared by Rear Admirals Robley D. Evans and George Albert Converse and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Truman Handy Newberry. Bonaparte asks that Roosevelt inform him if he would like any further notice before the court martial occurs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-06
Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on several matters. The Court of Enquiry’s findings exculpate Admiral Robley D. Evans, though Admiral George Albert Converse hints that Evans’s rapid signals may have contributed to the collision. Bonaparte will scrutinize the matter carefully. He encloses a report from the commander of the Portsmouth, and though the New Jersey militiamen performed no “great feat,” he suggests sending praise anyway because naval officers are “decidedly ‘sniffy'” toward them. Bonaparte has received many favorable letters about anarchism, but the occasional unfavorable ones amuse him and he has enclosed one such letter. He feels that the Navy faces an uphill battle meeting its needs due to the clashing views of those on the deciding committees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-19
Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte assures President Roosevelt that, upon his return, he will look carefully into the collision and Admiral Evans’ possible role in it. Bonaparte relays that Lieutenant Commander William Sowden Sims has asked to be relieved from service on the Personnel Board because of a conflict with an important target practice in October, a reason Bonaparte finds legitimate. He expresses pleasure at reading Roosevelt’s remarks about the Navy that were published yesterday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-21
Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte informs President Roosevelt that he has received the Newport collision report from the Court of Enquiry, which found that officer error caused the collision. Court martial is recommended for the captain and a lieutenant of the Alabama and reprimand recommended for the officer on deck of the Kearsarge; the crew of the Illinois has been cleared of blame. Bonaparte is startled to learn that the Kearsarge had been in the care of a young midshipman though the boat was in a thick fog; this and other questions will spur his further inquiry into the accident. Bonaparte also notifies Roosevelt that, on his way to Panama, Roosevelt’s presence has been requested in New Orleans, and he discusses the logistics of such a trip if Roosevelt chooses to make it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-14
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs Richard Henry Dana he hopes to get the double turrets on the USS Kentucky and the USS Kearsarge removed. Roosevelt believes the builders at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company agrees with him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-05-21
The Senate Committee on Naval Affairs interviews a number of naval officers on some alleged defects in the construction of several battleships now being built. Chief among these concerns are the questions of the placement of the armor belt, the positions of the guns, and the design of the hoists to provide the turrets with ammunition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-21
During their stop in Valletta, Malta, the sailors of the Great White Fleet left an excellent impression. The officials of Malta were very hospitable to the troops. When news reached Malta of the anti-Japanese immigration legislation in California, there was “uncomplimentary” discussion of the politicians involved among the American officers. A single case of smallpox was discovered on the USS Kearsarge.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-20
The naval attache of the German embassy would like an audience with President Roosevelt to present a copy of the German naval register. Assistant Secretary of State Loomis suggests the register could be presented aboard the USS Kearsarge on August 17.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-10
Emperor William II was pleased to be greeted at Kiel by a “fine American squadron.” He met with Admiral Cotton and inspected the USS Kearsarge.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-25