American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Diary identified to "Laurence R. Thompson / U.S.S. Georgia / Enlisted at Philadelphia Pa, 1413 Filbert St. / Sept. 26, 1907." Green boards, 41pp of manuscript entries, clippings laid down on endpapers, 7 x 8 1/2 in. (some wear especially to corners, light toning). Vp, 26 September 1907 - 25 January 1909.

Shortly after enlistment Thompson was assigned to duty on the USS Georgia, one of a group of Navy battleships preparing to circumnavigate the globe by order of President Theodore Roosevelt. The battleships, popularly known as the "Great White Fleet," were ostensibly on an international goodwill tour though the simultaneous intent was to demonstrate US naval power to the world. Thompson's diary documents the travels of the fleet from its departure at Hampton Roads, VA, on 16 December 1907, through its final stop in France in January 1909. Additional stops include Trinidad, Brazil, Chile, Peru, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Japan, China, and Egypt. Description varies for each location, but often includes the formal reception of the fleet at each port and discussion of Thompson's shore leave. Entries also include brief anecdotes related to naval life such as crossing the equator and initiation "by Neptune's party," a signal boy's attempt to run away from the fleet, and multiple near collisions between the fleet ships. Diary is accompanied by a full typed transcript of the diary.

[With:] Period wood travel document box, 10 x 9 x 14 in. -- 2 silk USS Georgia banners housed in wood frame, 29 x 32 in. -- 1p manuscript itinerary listing ports, arrival and departure dates, and mileage. -- Patriotic bandana from Camp Hitchcock, Augusta, GA, approx. 17 x 17 in. -- "The World on Mercator's Projection" folding world pocket map published by George Philips & Son. -- Small pamphlet titled "U.S. Navy Ports of the World: Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head" with foldout map. -- Booklet by Henry R. Pattenhill titled "Old Glory Speaker," 1910. -- Great White Fleet reunion dinner program, 1972, listing Thompson. -- Japanese postcard commemorating the visit of the American Fleet.