This historic U.S. Navy promotional film entitled “Anchor’s Aweigh”, shows the fighting ships of the Navy as they appeared in the 1930s. It seems likely given that Panama is seen in the film, that this movie was shot during Fleet Problem XVII. Fleet problem was the term used by the United States Navy to describe each of 21 large-scale naval exercises conducted between 1923 and 1940. They are labeled with Roman numerals, from Fleet Problem I through Fleet Problem XXI. A 22nd Fleet Problem exercise, scheduled for 1941, was canceled because of World War II.
The fleet problems were usually once a year exercises in which U.S. naval forces would engage in mock battles. One or more of the forces would play the part of a European or Asian navy. They were the culmination of the Navy’s annual training maneuvers.
Fleet Problem XVII took place off the west coast of the U.S., Central America, and the Panama Canal Zone in the spring of 1936. It was a five-phase exercise devoted to preparing the fleet for anti-submarine operations, testing communications systems, and training of aircraft patrol squadrons for extended fleet operations, and pitted the Battle Force against the submarine-augmented Scouting Force.
This film includes footage of massive battleships, cruisers, destroyers, submarines and other vessels.
Crews cleaning the decks are seen at the 1:50 mark. Signals are sent by flag at the 2:30 mark. The Panama Canal is seen at the 4:30 mark. Submarine S-44 is seen at the 7:15 mark. An aircraft carrier carrying biplanes is seen at the 8:28 mark, possibly USS Langley.
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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 and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
