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27 July 2009 By LEUT Anna Glover
The early morning start did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the company of HMA Ship’s Sydney and Ballarat as they cruised past the Statue of Liberty last week, before arriving in New York as part of Northern Trident 2009.
The inaugural four day visit was in celebration of the original Great White Fleet visit to Australia in 1908, as well as in reciprocation of a visit to Australia by the United States Navy last year.
As the sun rose at around 0530, Sydney (CAPT Peter Leavy, RAN) in company with Ballarat (CMDR Kevin Turner, RAN) and USS Mahan (Commander Stephen F. Murphy, USN) embarked two very special historical figures - Theodore Roosevelt IV, great-grandson of President Teddy Roosevelt; and Tom Harley, great-grandson of Prime Minister Alfred Deakin, two key influencers of the original Great White Fleet celebrations in Australia and extremely significant to the Royal Australian Navy.
"Back in 1908, 16 US battleships, painted white to demonstrate their peaceful intentions and known as the Great White Fleet, made a tour of the world as a display of the might of the United States Navy, said Sydney’s Commanding Officer, Captain Peter Leavy.
"It was certainly the coming of age for the US Navy on the world stage. Prime Minister Deakin asked President Roosevelt to include Australia on the ports to be visited and, of our population at the time of four million, over one million people turned out to see the Great White Fleet in Sydney, Melbourne and Albany (WA). At that time Australia’s foreign policy was run from London, so the Great White Fleet visit was also the first major foreign policy decision taken independently by the Australian Government. It was a big deal, not only for our Navy, but also for our nation," he said.
"These actions directly influenced the establishment of the Royal Australian Navy and hosting the great-grandsons of these historical figures as we sailed up the Hudson, was certainly an honor for me as well as my crew, and a rare experience for all," said Captain Leavy.
Significantly, one hundred and one years later, Sydney and Ballarat arrived in Manhattan at Pier 88, opposite USS Intrepid and just five blocks from Times Square, ready for the most high-profile port visit of the Northern Trident deployment to date.
"There was a large amount of pressure on the companies of both ships as everyone was involved in some way with the huge visit, however the professionalism and teamwork that everyone so far has demonstrated on this deployment was quickly evident and upon arrival is was clear that everyone was keen to pitch in,” said Commander Turner.
From a press conference US-style, appearances on the FOX Network’s “Good Day New York” show, standing outside the CBS “Early Show”, an Open Day as well as interviews with the New York Post and New York Times – the ships were both kept extremely busy.
"One highlight for me was being involved in a photo shoot in Times Square," said Leading Seaman Physical Trainer, Rhoderick Hunter. "We were dressed in our S2’s and while we were photographed, the shoot was beamed up on the News Corp Astrovision screen so everyone could see us. It was incredible to be part of the whole Times Square buzz but I suppose everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame eventually!" he said.
The visit also had some serious events, which helped fulfill one of Northern Trident’s key objectives – international diplomacy, with an official reception hosted onboard Sydney by the Australian Consul General to New York, Mr Phillip Scanlan, AM, on the evening of the ship’s arrival, followed by an event onboard Ballarat the following night on behalf the United Nations. The most moving experience however was a VIP tour of the World Trade Centre Memorial by the Commander Australian Fleet and the Commanding Officers of Sydney and Ballarat.
"Visiting the memorial and paying my respects on behalf of the sailors and officers of the Royal Australian Navy was certainly a highlight of my visit to New York. I was fortunate enough to lay a wreath in memory of those that lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and the experience was personally something I will remember for years to come," said RADM Coates.
Eventually after all their hard work, the sailors and officers of both ships got some well-deserved shore time. Some chose to take in a show on Broadway, while others visited Yankee Stadium for baseball and hotdogs.
"It was my first time in New York and there was lots to see and lots to do," said LEUT Nathaniel Streher. "Times Square has an awesome 360 degree view and was a real eye opener, with a great atmosphere during the day but unbelievable at night. With so much going on it was hard not to have some late nights and I can see why they call it the city that never sleeps!" he said.
"I went to a Yankees game, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and of course the Empire State building to see a great view of the city. Everyone was friendly and helpful and the crowds were not as bad as I thought. I am really looking forward to one day coming back," he said.
The visit for many was certainly not long enough, and as the ships departed Manhattan for their next port visit to Baltimore and Maryland, there were many (including both Commanding Officers) that wished the stay had been longer.
"The visit to New York was over too soon for most people, however I hope that it is not 101 more years before at least one Royal Australian Navy ship visits Manhattan again to extend a small bit of Australian hospitality to our American friends and allies," he said. "Australia and the United States have fought side by side in every conflict and this is an achievement that was definitely recognised with this visit and only helped to further relations between our two countries," said CMDR Turner.
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