Great White Fleet in Seattle, 1908
Seattle, King County, Washington
Marker Inscription
The U.S. Navy's "great white fleet" arrived Seattle May 23 and departed May 27, 1908 to continue their famous 46,000 mile round the world cruise. Part of the fleet anchored in Elliott Bay near this site and the crews disembarked here at the foot of the Lenora and Virginia Street -- then known as piers 9 & 10. Erected National Maritime Day 1961
Erected by Yukon Club & Propeller Club -- Port of Seattle
The Story
In May 1908 the U.S. Navy's Great White Fleet steamed into Seattle's Elliott Bay, part of an epic 46,000-mile voyage around the globe. Crews came ashore near this spot at the foot of Lenora and Virginia Streets, then the site of piers 9 and 10. The visit was a proud moment for a young port city eager to claim its place on the Pacific.
Why it matters
The fleet's world cruise announced the United States as a rising global naval power, and Seattle's welcome marked its emergence as a major Pacific gateway.
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Related events
- · Great White Fleet world cruise (1907–1909)
Themes & tags
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