San Francisco's Fleet Week has been recognized by the United States Department of Defense as the model for fleet weeks across the country.
Photo by Joel Williams
BC STAFF REPORT
Published: October, 2019
San Francisco’s Fleet Week has been recognized by the United States Department of Defense as the model for fleet weeks across the country. This October 6 through 14 marks the 38th anniversary of the modern version of Fleet Week in San Francisco, but the origins of this event are much older.
San Francisco and Fleet Week share a long and storied history that began in 1908 with the arrival of President Theodore Roosevelt’s “Great White Fleet” to the Bay during its round-the-world voyage. Consisting of 16 battleships of the Atlantic Fleet and various smaller vessels, this legendary flotilla featured hulls painted white except for the gilded scrollwork on their bows. The 14-month voyage from Hampton Roads, Virginia, to San Francisco was a showcase of American sea power with ships manned by 14,000 sailors. The fleet covered 43,000 miles and stopped at 20 ports on six continents.
The fleet arrived in San Francisco on May 6, 1908 from Magdalena Bay, Mexico, and was greeted by a huge celebration hosted by the City of San Francisco. As each ship passed Fort Point it fired a 21-gun salute, which was answered with a salute from land. Crowds flocked to San Francisco to see the fleet. Transbay ferry traffic from May 5 to May 17 exceeded the normal business by 450,000 passengers. The heaviest travel day was on May 6, when 186,000 passengers were taken across San Francisco Bay to see the arrival of the fleet. It was one of the largest crowds of Californians ever assembled at the time.
On January 18, 1911, the era of naval aviation began in San Francisco Bay with the first-ever launch of an aircraft from the deck of a military vessel, the USS Pennsylvania. Throughout the 20th century, San Francisco was a major focus of naval operations and served as the headquarters of the United States Navy forces under Admiral Chester Nimitz during World War II. A generation of “Liberty ships” and other military vessels were built, launched, serviced and berthed at Bay Area historic sites, including Vallejo’s Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Richmond’s Kaiser Shipyard, the Marin Shipworks, Treasure Island, Hunters Point Shipyard, Suisun Bay and the Alameda Naval Air Station.
Under the leadership of Mayor Dianne Feinstein, the modern Fleet Week tradition began in 1981, honoring the dedicated men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their colleagues. Over the years, millions of San Franciscans have welcomed the United States Navy and Marine Corps, making Fleet Week one of the City’s most treasured traditions.
This year’s events will once again feature the spectacular United States Navy Blue Angels—the world’s most talented aerial performance team—to thrill the public with its incredible aerial feats. A full airshow will be taking place over three consecutive days in the skies above San Francisco’s waterfront and is the only air show in the United States with a commercial airliner, the United Boeing 777, to perform a fully choreographed act. This year’s air show will also feature the Bay Area debut of the F-35 Demonstration Team, showcasing the most advanced air power of the U.S. Air Force.
In addition, throughout Fleet Week, thousands of visitors can climb aboard amphibious carriers, destroyers and cruisers docked along the Embarcadero to get a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of the sailors serving in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian Navy. All ship tours are free of charge.
Below is an overview of public events for San Francisco Fleet Week. An up-to-the-minute schedule of public events is available online at fleetweeksf.org.
Fleet Week Schedule of Events
(Subject to change)
Monday to Saturday through October 19
Veterans Art Exhibit
The Atelier Gallery of the Academy of Art University: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday, October 9
Ship Tours – Day 1: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Honor Our Fallen Tribute Concert – SFJAZZ Center: 6 – 8 p.m.
Thursday, October 10
Ship Tours – Day 2: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Friday, October 11
Humanitarian Assistance Village: Marina Green: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Parade of Ships: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Air Show: 12 – 4 p.m.
Saturday, October 12
Ship Tours – Day 3: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Humanitarian Assistance Village: Marina Green: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Bark at the Park / K9 Heroes at Duboce Park: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Air Show: 12 – 4 p.m.
Sunday, October 13
Ship Tours – Day 4: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Humanitarian Assistance Village: Marina Green: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Air Show: 12 – 4 p.m.
Blue Angels Meet & Greet at PIER 39: 6:15
Monday, October 14
Ship Tours – Day 5: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
High School Band Challenge: 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
San Francisco’s Fleet Week air show in the only one in the United States with a commercial airliner, a United Boeing 777, to perform a fully choreographed act. Photo by Joel Williams
