This film was created in 1934 by Robert B. Dixon, and released on Agfa (:09) stock. It appears to be an amateur-made-if-elaborate film / home movie. The film documents the U.S. Navy Review in New York harbor, an event attended by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (who was on board the cruiser USS Indianapolis). The film begins on May 31st, 1934 (:20) and shows the US Navy entering the New York harbor (:39). A title card proclaims that the USS Columbia is to be the film’s station for review (1:05) as it heads to Sandy Hook. It is believed this is actually the Hudson River steamboat SS Columbia, an excursion steamship built in 1902. The expanse of the SS Columbia is shown (1:25) as well as a shot of the walking beam steam engine, and of the ship’s deck with a small life boat hanging over the side (1:49). New York’s skyline (1:59) from the Columbia. The Statue of Liberty rises in front of the docks (2:15). The film turns to other vessels awaiting review, including what appears to be a Coast Guard cutter USCGC Saranac (2:26). The famed American financier, J.P. Morgan’s yacht the Corsair (2:54) is pictured. On the Columbia, women lounging on the top deck on the vessel (3:03). Over 200 Navy aircraft are visible flying in triangular formation over the vessels (3:34). Footage follows of some of the 60-mile parade of warships (5:13) comprised of battleships, cruisers and destroyers / subchasers as well as a steam boat (9:15). At 5:14 a large cruiser is shown, possibly USS Indianapolis. At 8:45, the SS Augvald of Haugesund, which was sunk during WWII. At 9:17, a Staten Island ferry is seen as New York’s Empire State Building comes into view (9:22). A biplane and an amphibious plane fly overhead (9:31). Now, a return to New York’s Hudson River on June 10th of 1934, to see the fleet at anchor (9:43). Two men stand in front of a sign announcing they are on the Long Island steamer SS Belle Island (9:58). The film then mentions the ship was a “Tom Taylor Special” taking passengers both to see the fleet and a boxing match between Baer and Carnera (10:36). Chic Feldman and Joe Butler are seen as they chose a winner (10:28). Some of the battleships of the fleet are shown in close shots including the battleship USS New York (11:00), the battleship USS Texas (11:21), battleship USS Mississippi (11:33), battleship USS New Mexico (11:50) and the battleship USS Colorado (12:45). The flagship USS Pennsylvania (12:15) is shown along with a hospital ship (13:18) and the Navy Supply Ship (13:27). President Roosevelt had reviewed these vessels from the USS Indianapolis (13:48). A seaplane flies under a bridge across the Hudson. A few cruiser vessels are pointed out including the USS North Hampton (14:23), the USS Marblehead (14:37) and the cruiser USS Cincinnati (15:25). The George Washington Bridge follows as the ships pass under (16:11). Final shots of the fleet in review follow as the ship from which the film had been created on prepares to dock at 149th Street (17:20).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com