The composition of the Fleet is best remembered for the 16 battleships with white hulls that circumnavigated the globe.  They were divided into two squadrons of two divisions in each squadron and led by 4 admirals.  They were all named after states except one, USS Kearsarge.  The represented the bulk of the Atlantic Fleet.

The battleships were escorted by a "Torpedo Flotilla" during the first leg of the voyage.  The composition of the particular units did change when the ships departed for the second leg of the cruise with the changing of two of the units.  During the second leg they were accompanied by a variety of fleet auxiliary ships including repair, stores, hospital and tenders.

Other ships participating in the second portion of the cruise included The Pathfinders, a group of recently commissioned armored cruisers, and a group of six torpedo destroyers, that would shadow the main battle fleet throughout the South Pacific.  There were also numerous auxiliaries of the fleet, both American and British, that provided coal and supplies.