When the Great White Fleet came to the aid of Messina

Published: 2008 - October/November, Culture, New York Itinerary

The tragedy that began on December 28, 1908, at approximately 5:20 A.M., was to be certified as Europe’s most powerful earthquake in modern times. Centered in the Messina Strait that separates the island of Sicily from Calabria on the Italian mainland, the quake’s power, estimated at 7.5 on the Richter scale, shook southern Italy to its very foundations with tsunami-like consequences including 40-foot waves that crashed down on dozens of coastal cities spreading thick, viscous, impassable mud in the streets resulting in enormous casualties – perhaps as many as 200,000 perished.
The Italian government relocated many Messina survivors to new towns within Italy while others became immigrants destined for America. Within weeks over 400 were placed on the Republic, a luxury passenger liner, while the Italian ship SS Florida, carried 850 passengers away from Naples to a new life in New York City. En route these survivors endured a second disaster when lost in dense fog off Nantucket Island, and the Florida collided with the Republic, an accident that cost three more lives. Survivors finally arrived in New York’s harbor shaken and unnerved, as they confronted a new challenge to begin their lives again.
Although several countries responded with humanitarian aid, the greatest assistance came from the United States Navy’s goodwill mission of the Great White Fleet, which was then in the final leg of its historic world tour. The Fleet took steps to bring immediate and concrete succor in the form of tens of thousands pounds of food (bread, cereal, fresh meat, fruit, milk, canned vegetables, and beverages) and doctors along with cots and blankets to the stricken area.
It was soon realized that recovery from the horrific devastation would require much more assistance and thus began a little-known but important chapter in Italian/American relations in the form of extensive and vitally-needed house-building projects. The United States Congress responded to an Italian government request for home-building materials by approving a relief bill of $500,000. The funds went towards construction items for approximately 3,000 homes in the destroyed village of Reggio and smaller nearby villages on the Calabrian and Sicilian sides of the straits of Messina.
Another indication of the close association between Americans and Italians wrought by the tragedy was the personal visit by former President Theodore Roosevelt to the stricken area on April 6, 1909. Although it was a hastily arranged unscheduled visit, the King of Italy was on hand to greet him while throngs of townspeople filled the streets to show their appreciation for American aid. It was a stirring sight to see the destitute population welcome him with the seemingly incongruous but nevertheless heartfelt shout of  “Long live our President,” in deference to a man who was considered “a kind of spiritual President of the unfortunate island.” Crowds were so large that the Roosevelt entourage was unable to visit the ruins of the former American Consulate. However, he did visit remains of the destroyed Messina Cathedral and adjacent interior streets piled high with debris.
Representatives from the national government, local municipalities, religious orders and plain Italian citizens were profuse in articulating their gratitude as expressed in official and private letters and in name designations –albeit employing bewildering phonetic Italian variations of American appellations such as Via Rosuvett (for Roosevelt) and Via Brocchlin (for Brooklyn). Americans who participated in house-building were convinced that they were engaged in an essential humanitarian undertaking involving construction not only thousands of cottages, but also schools, workroom, church, hotel, and hospital.
The actions of the United States and its citizens were exemplary: the prompt reaction by the United States Navy via its battleships laden with ample food, medicine and medical personnel; the extraordinary manual labor undertaken by thousands of navy members within the stricken areas; the proficiency and capability exercised by United States representatives; the generous Congressional approval of substantial sums to help the afflicted, the voluntary contributions of the prominent and working class Americans; the personal visit of President Roosevelt to the scene of the disaster. American responses to the crisis elicited astonishing commendation from Italy, from other nations and from Italian-Americans. That the United States assumed this foremost role of extensive aid to people in other parts of the world during the Gilded Age may seem unusual in a era ruled by the philosophy of the survival of the fittest, yet America’s answer to human needs in a time of overwhelming disaster was an unforgettable example of America at its best.

2008 Columbus Celebration Events

Oct. 7 – 17  “The Great White Fleet”
Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal, 42nd Street and Park Ave., 8 AM to 8 PM daily
Held in the centenary year of the natural disasters that wrought untold damage, “The Great White Fleet” will document the heroic efforts of Italians and American servicemen who came together in one of the greatest humanitarian efforts in European history. 

Oct. 13  Columbus Day Parade 
Fifth Ave. from 44th Street to 79th Street, 11:45 AM to 3:00 PM
Nearly one million people turn out to watch the world’s largest celebration of Italian-American culture and heritage.  Italian and Italian-American dignitaries, folk dancers, street performers, and bands join members of New York’s civil service departments in a colorful display of heritage, culture, tradition and innovation that includes 35,000 marchers. 
Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani, Jr., US Navy (ret.), former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will be Grand Marshal of the 2008 Columbus Day Parade in New York City.