FOLLOW THE FLEET

In August 1919 the U.S. Pacific Fleet, on their way to Fleet Week in San Francisco, stopped off at Santa Cruz for a few days respite. The naval contingent was led by Admiral Hugh Rodman, Commander-in-Chief of the fleet, aboard his flagship, the New Mexico. The fleet also included the dreadnaughts Mississippi and Texas, the battleships Wyoming and Arkansas and a large flotilla of destroyers. For the duration of their stay the sailors were treated to a series of dances, movies, concerts and even athletic competitions on the beach. 

The highlight of their visit was an excursion up to Big Trees Grove. A couple thousand sailors traveled aboard railroad flatcars for the journey up San Lorenzo Canyon. The local paper proclaimed that “[o]fficer and gob alike will share one of the most hospitable receptions provided them since their ships speared the Panama [C]anal and entered the waters of their new home.”

San Francisco Chronicle, August 27, 1919

Upon arrival at the grove, Admiral Rodman and his men were escorted to a multi-trunk cathedral redwood for a tree dedication ceremony. The honor of the dedication came as a surprise to Admiral Rodman, who knew nothing of the fleet reception committee’s intention. 

“Then, in the calm stillness, broken only by the hum of the automobile and the quiet murmur of the forest, William T. Jeter, chairman of the committee, raised from the massive trunk of the Cathedral an American flag, disclosing a paneled inscription to the effect that one of the great monarchs of California’s outdoors was dedicated in honor of the Admiral, his ships, officers and men.” 

Lieutenant-Commander J.H. Ingram, Admiral Rodman’s flag lieutenant, said a bronze plaque would be made aboard the New Mexico to replace the temporary one placed upon the tree during the dedication. The festivities concluded with a singing performance by Mackenzie Gordon, “whose fine voice sent the words of Annie Laurie and an old Italian ballad softly reverberating from the wonderful natural acoustic vault of the heavy-plumed forest.”  Later Admiral Rodman and his officers were guests of the citizens of Santa Cruz at a luncheon and later a naval ball at the Casino. 

In June 1921 the permanent memorial plaque was finally placed at the base of the tree dedicated two years earlier. An informal ceremony was presided over by Captain P. Symington of the U.S.S. Mississippi. The assembled crowd was comprised of about sixty officers of the fleet and a contingent of about seventy-five sailors. The Santa Cruz Evening News noted that “Stanley Welch of the Big Tree grove exhibited a very generous spirit in connection with the day’s festivities, allowing the officers of the fleet free entry to the grove, and giving the chamber of commerce very satisfactory terms on the admission for the sailors.” The plaque was made of brass from one of the obsolete navy guns and dedicated to the officers and men of the U.S. Pacific Fleet who first passed through the Panama Canal in 1919. Flanking the tree were color bearers, one with the Stars and Stripes and the other with the naval pennant.

As mementos, two of the captains were presented with redwood burl nut bowls with burl nut crackers, for the use of themselves and officers in the mess rooms. On return from the grove the officers were guests at a luncheon on the sun porch of the Casa del Rey Hotel. A 1921 Santa Cruz Evening News article mentioned that several group pictures of the dedication were taken by Capitola photographer Ole Ravnos. The whereabouts of these images is unknown.

One of the sailors present for the 1919 dedication was Clifford Metcalf. He was a young sailor aboard the U.S.S. Rathburn when it arrived in Santa Cruz.

On the 50th anniversary of the fleet’s visit, a 1969 Santa Cruz Sentinel article recounted Metcalf’s story. He was one of 2,200 seamen and 300 officers who came to Big Trees Grove on August 26, 1919. “Fifty years is a long time ago,” he said.  “Not many around now who took part in the dedication. I was a young sprout of 21, then.” Metcalf, a native of Minnesota, returned to California after he left the Navy. He moved to Santa Cruz in 1947 and eventually settled at Paradise Park.

For the anniversary Metcalf came to see “his” tree but was evidently disappointed that it no longer displayed the bronze plaque. Seasonal Park Ranger Vernon Roy Anderson told Metcalf that the plaque was removed from the tree and placed in storage but that it would be put on display in a park building eventually. Hearing these plans pleased the veteran sailor. The plaque is still safely cared for at the park but remains in storage.  

Sources: “Forest Giant Bears Tablet Commemorating Pacific Fleet, Capt. Symington at Ceremony,” Santa Cruz Evening News, June 29, 1921; “Naval History Made as Santa Cruz Dedicates Giant Redwood to Rodman, Fleet and Personnel,” by Albert J. Porter in the August 27, 1919 San Francisco Chronicle; “He Sailed into Town 50 Years Ago,” by Margaret Koch in the August 24, 1969 Santa Cruz Sentinel.