searchlights

This image was recently discovered in the archives of my grandfather, John Ley. On the back of the photo was the hand written note, "This picture was taken during March 1925 when the Great Armada was anchored in San Francisco Bay". I would like to know the history of how Collection Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive came into possession of this image?

JimLey.com We received this image from the historical collection located at North Island Naval Air Station. It certainly is spectacular!

Is there any way to get more details on this photograph? Were there any notes included with the photograph? Was the photograph part of a series? Are there any known newspaper accounts of this event? I suspect my grandfather took the photograph. I am in possession of a series of aerial photographs of San Francisco, Oakland and San Francisco Bay from the same time period. These photographs were stamped "Quality Staples Prints". Staples is listed in the 1925 Crocker-Langley San Francisco City Directory as: Staples (H A Staples), Kodaks, Photo Supplies, Fountain Pens and Pencils (plus address and phone number). The 910 Market Street address for this "Mom & Pop" store was a downtown location on what was then the Market Street railway line.

JimLey.com I am sorry but there are no markings on the image, it was in a collection of various Navy images which don't seem to have any connection...they are from different years and locations. I have found this iimage at a few other places on the internet, like: www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/fleet-illumination-san-fra... This image might be related to a large navy excercise which took place in April of 1925, when many ships left San Francsico and were part of a "Fleet Problem"...Naval War Games...which occurred near Hawaii. I will keep looking for more info, and let me know what you find!

I found two New York Times references to the fleet being in San Francisco in April 1925 Great Fleet Sails Away From San Pedro On Its Way to Hawaii Via San Francisco New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 04 Apr 1925: 19. M'KEAN SAYS NAVY NEEDS NO 'NURSES': Vice Admiral Declares Aviation Is Important, but Battleship Is Indispensable. OPPOSES UNIFIED COMMAND General Board Is Defended in an Address at Oakland, Where the Fleet Is Welcomed. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 08 Apr 1925: 2.

It was taken at the 1929 Exhibition at Exhibition Park in Newcastle. The building to the right is the former Military Vehicle Museum which is still standing and in the background is the boating lake which is also still there.

Evidently there was a real drama at the time - the searchlights were used to locate a Man Overboard. Read All About It and the rest of the occasion same page - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15018778

beachcomber australia Wow what a great angle to the story of the event :)

Wow, cool photo. Added to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1908_in_Australia#Events Thanks for posting these!

Absolutely stunning. One of the most mesmerising cityscapes of this good ol' place.

I agree with alkos23 that is a mesmerising cityscape replete with tobacco advertising - wouldn't happen today!

Those searchlights really add another dimension. Brilliant. And is that Gallaghers and tobacco of some sort being advertised top & mid left too?

this is wonderful! you don't see many "old" photos taken at night!

Player's, the British cigarette company. John Players