William G. Child, Midshipman, USS Georgia – Ports in the Pacific

Midshipman Child took his camera with him on liberty and photographed what he saw as a visitor. He did not seek out subjects to photograph, stage photographs, or go to a location to take a photograph. If he was experiencing something, he tried to take a photograph to remember it. Below is a photo from the launch leaving the Georgia off the coast of Oahu with Diamond Head in the background. I'm sure he was thinking, "Here I am going ashore in Hawaii!"

At left: "Landing party returning to Georgia, Honolulu." Below, the palace in downtown Honolulu, a sailors marching in the parade gets a flower lei to wear while on-lookers line the parade route to see fleet sailors.

auckland, new zealand

Midshipman Child looks like he had a good time while visiting New Zealand. From the photographs his looks like he had time for excursions that included an inland trip to Rotorua, home of the Maori tribesmen. He also got to the racetrack and enjoyed the company of his Lady Friend that visited in San Francisco!

The trip to the Maori tribe was very popular with the officers. Admiral Sperry attended and was be outfitted in battle dress to participate in the dance and welcome. "Maori poi dance. These dancers are said to be the most perfect time keepers in the world." Below is a view of the bridge at Whakarewarewa village which has geothermal vents that create hot pools of bubbling mud. It is here where they were able to seen the homes and dances of the people.

Cavite, philippines

The second trip to the Philippines started with gunnery practice south of Manila and liberty in the small city of Olongapo. Midshipmen Child was part of the spotter that graded the target practice while perched on a ridge overlooking the range.