Talk of the The Great White Fleet on a world tour initiated by US president, Theodore Roosevelt, took over much of the state.

Although some felt it left the homeland vulnerable, the president sent 16 of his navy's ship, painted white with gold detailing, on the tour. They were manned by 14,000 soldiers and marines.

When they arrived in Sydney Harbour, one quarter of the city's two million residents turned out and a decorated Martin Place was renamed American Place for the duration of the visit.

Tuesday, August 25 saw a special train organised by the State Government bring groups on the South Coast line, with some stopping off at Bulli, Wollongong, Kiama, Berry and Bomaderry.

The visit was embraced by the local community, as shown by the front page heading in the Shoalhaven Telegraph, "our American cousins."

From the time the train pulled into Bomaderry, they were kept busy. The visitors were greeted with three ringing cheers and were met by members of the local executive committee.

They were then escorted by vehicles into Nowra, a length procession which passed along Bridge Road, North Street, Kinghorne Street and up Junction Street to the showground.

The route had been decorated with flags, business places were closed in honour of the occasion, and the animated bystanders enjoyed the spectacle.

A number of horses were made available to the Americans who enjoyed galloping around the ring and over the hurdles.

While there was no time for a set program of sports, a tug-o-war was arranged between a team representing the visitors and one from Nowra. The locals won the first pull, the Americans won the second and then the decider after a spirited contest.

After the whirlwind visit, the Americans rejoined the train to return to Sydney and their world tour.