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The arrival of the US Great White Fleet in Sydney during August 1908 prompted massive
passenger loadings on all transport services in the City. Rail, ferry and tram services
were stretched to the limit carrying sightseers on the arrival day and during the
many events that occurred during Fleet Week. The following selected images give
an idea of the crowds experienced during that time - reminiscent in many ways of
the recent Sydney Olympic period during 2000.
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Huge Crowd at Watsons Bay tram terminus - near Lighthouse
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At the time of the visit of the US Fleet on 20th August the Watsons Bay tramway
terminated short of the village of Watsons Bay - on the sandstone ridge near the
principal lighthouse. The line was totally saturated on the arrival day with over
42, 000 passengers being carried on 279 tram trips in about 12 hours. Many adventurous
passengers managed to ride on the roof of the trams - not exactly the safest way
to travel as the electrical current passing through the trolley poles was in the
order of 600 volts ! An estimated crowd of 250,000 watched the arrival through the
Heads.
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Heavy Passenger Loading at Rose Bay - crowd returning after fleet entrance
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The image of the 2 Marine Officers posing at the front of a steam tram was taken
by a member of the US forces. It is a private image issued on a postcard. The remaining
images were commercially available during the Fleet visit period - probably on issue
before the Fleet left Sydney.
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Heavy Passenger Loading at Rushcutters Bay - crowd returning after fleet entrance
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Many ferry passengers were carried with contemporary reports claiming over 2 million
passengers carried during the week - out of a city wide population of only 500,000.
Birchgrove Public School Ferry outing on Sydney Harbour -
Boys at front and girls at rear of vessel
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It would be many years before an event of such magnitude was to befall Sydney again.
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Two US Marine officers posing at the front of a steam tram at Moore Park Sydney
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