US Atlantic Fleet battleships, 1907. Column of sixteen battleships steaming out of harbour at the start of the world cruise of the US Atlantic Fleet. Known as the 'Great White Fleet', the cruise took place from 16 December 1907 to 22 February 1909, and was intended to display US naval power to the world. Over 14 months, the ships covered some 80,000 kilometres, called at 20 ports on six continents, and were manned by around 14,000 sailors. At left is the USS Kansas, followed by the USS Vermont. Both are Connecticut-class pre-dreadnought battleships. Photographed in December 1907, near Hampton Roads, Virginia, USA.