Culebra Puerto Rico African American Navy Sailors Dewey Real Photo Postcard
Culebra, an island municipality of Puerto Rico, gained significant strategic importance for the United States Navy following the Spanish-American War in 1898. Designated as a naval reservation in 1903, Culebra served as the primary gunnery and bombing range for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, with its main naval station and harbor located at Ensenada Honda, which was commonly referred to as Dewey.
This 1924 street scene illustrates the robust U.S. military presence on the island during a period when the Navy extensively utilized Culebra for fleet training and maneuvers. The large assembly of sailors underscores the island's critical role in American naval strategy in the Caribbean throughout the early 20th century, providing a vital operational base for projections of naval power and regional security.
This 1924 street scene illustrates the robust U.S. military presence on the island during a period when the Navy extensively utilized Culebra for fleet training and maneuvers. The large assembly of sailors underscores the island's critical role in American naval strategy in the Caribbean throughout the early 20th century, providing a vital operational base for projections of naval power and regional security.
