Couta Boat Fleet Welcomes 'Great White Fleet'

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On Saturday, 29 August 1908 a total of 15,000 visitors were expected in Queenscliff to watch the arrival of the 'Great White Fleet' of 16 American battleships (all painted bright white) on tour around the world.  The Victorian Railways scheduled extra trains to and from Geelong with departures every 15 minutes (those were the good old days!)

The Queenscliff fishermen provided a flotilla of 40 couta boats (manned by a man and a boy each).  This was quite a generous gesture by the fishermen as they would lose a half-day's income.  The boats carried flags bearing the word 'Welcome' which were made locally.

Local photogaphers produced commemorative postcards.  Copies of those and the train timetables are available at the Queenscliffe Historical Museum, Hesse Street, Queenscliff.

It is interesting to note the tiny jibs and high booms - a rig suitable for work ...