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Destroyer commemorates 1908 fleet visit

SYDNEY, Australia — One hundred years ago, nearly half a million people cheered as 16 white-painted American warships cruised into Sydney Harbor, forging an alliance between the U.S. and a fledgling Australia.

On Wednesday, it was a small group of Australian and American military officials and diplomats who welcomed the guided-missile destroyer John S. McCain into the harbor in a commemoration of the 1908 visit of the Great White Fleet.

A military band onshore at the Australian navy base played “Waltzing Matilda” and hundreds of U.S. sailors stood at attention on the deck of the guided-missile destroyer as it cruised into the harbor, exactly 100 years to the day of the fleet’s historic visit.

“We are delighted and honored to host the USS John S. McCain and her crew during their visit to Australia, just as our forefathers did 100 years ago,” said Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon. “This visit serves to further strengthen the close ties our nations enjoy.”

In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt sent his Great White Fleet on a round-the-world voyage to demonstrate his nation’s strength as a world power and deter aggression in the Pacific. Among the more than 20 stops on the route were Japan, the Philippines, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Egypt and Brazil.

The fleet made three stops in Australia and, by many accounts, received its most rousing welcome here.

“Australians ... moved in droves to line the quays, the rooftops and other places on the harbor front to watch the coming of the guardships of the New World,” the New York Times reported that day. “So intense was the interest in the American ships of war that half the populace had remained awake the entire night.”

Wednesday’s welcome was obviously low-key in comparison, but the ship’s commanders said their crew was excited about both the history of their voyage and their arrival in Sydney.

“They were excited. When you come around the bend and see the Sydney Opera House, it’s a unique experience for a mariner,” said Capt. Mark Montgomery, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 15. “Today is a great opportunity to demonstrate our partnership both in military affairs but also in humanitarian civil affairs and just in deterring aggression throughout the Pacific region.”

About 300 crew members are onboard the McCain, named for presidential candidate Sen. John McCain’s grandfather and father — the only four-star father-son duo in Navy history.

The ship was escorted into Sydney by the HMAS Darwin and HMAS Sirius of the Royal Australian Navy.

“For us, the arrival 100 years ago was an event in itself,” said Cmdr. John Banigan, commanding officer of the American destroyer. “This time, our two navies coming together, it shows our partnership is very strong.”

Cmdr. Jon Lundberg, spokesman for the Great White Fleet, said other American vessels are taking part in 100th anniversary commemorations in many of the other ports the original fleet visited. None of the ships are traveling the entire original route, however.

“What’s important to us is heritage but also looking to the future,” Lundberg said. “We continue to cultivate and foster international interests just as the original fleet did 100 years ago.”

The McCain will stay in Sydney for five days before heading to Melbourne. Anniversary festivities are planned for the commanders and crew, including some sporting events between U.S. and Australian sailors.