THE HON JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
Minister for Defence
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
102/2008
USS JOHN S. McCAIN VISITS AUSTRALIA FOR GREAT WHITE
FLEET CENTENARY VISIT
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, will today attend an
official reception onboard the USS John S. McCain hosted by Robert D.
McCallum Jr, the United States Ambassador to Australia and Commander
Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Nigel Coates, AM RAN, to mark the centenary
of the ‘Great White Fleet’ visit.
"We are delighted and honoured to host the USS John S. McCain and her
crew during their visit to Australia, just as our forefathers did 100 years ago.
This visit serves to further strengthen the close ties our nations enjoy," Mr
Fitzgibbon said.
Also in attendance, is the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane, AM CSM
RAN, and a host of dignitaries.
The Royal Australian Navy is playing host to the United States Navy to mark
the centenary of one of the most celebrated naval voyages of modern times.
The original ‘Great White Fleet’ was sent around the world by President
Theodore Roosevelt and the voyage was undertaken from 16 December 1907
to 22 February 1909 by sixteen new battleships, painted white, from the
Atlantic Fleet.
The Australian leg of the journey includes visits to Sydney, Melbourne, and
Albany with Her Majesty's Australian ships Darwin and Sirius acting as
escorts throughout the visit.
“The Royal Australian Navy is thrilled to be part of this historic voyage and the
crew look forward to showing our American friends the best Australia has to
offer as we visit Sydney, Melbourne and Albany,” Commander Craig Powell,
RAN the Commanding Officer of HMAS Darwin.
The USS John S. McCain, an Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer, is named after
the father and grandfather of the current United States presidential candidate
John S. McCain. Of note, John S. McCain Sr visited Australia in 1908 as part
of the Great White Fleet whilst serving in the battleship USS Connecticut.
HMAS Darwin is an Adelaide Class Frigate and HMAS Sirius is a Sirius Class
Auxiliary Oiler.
Media contacts:
Jack Smith (Joel Fitzgibbon):
02 6277 7800 or 0408 116 423
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
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