Transcontinental Motor Convoy
Encyclopedia
The Transcontinental Motor Convoys were early 20th century vehicle convoy
s, including three US Army truck trains, that crossed the United States (one was coast-to-coast) to the west coast. The 1919 Motor Transport Corps convoy from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco used the incomplete Lincoln Highway
.
The United States' Good Roads Movement
of the late 19th century began as increased use of bicycles required better surfaces over the existing wagon and carriage roads. The development of the automobile and their increased use resulted in the formation of the United States Good Roads Association
and various individual cross-country trips by individual vehicles, followed by the first transcontinental trip by a convoy of vehicles.
in San Francisco. The film crew completed the "Three-Mile Picture Show" (named for the length of film). The film was directed by Henry Ostermann, Consul at Large for the Lincoln Highway
Association, who travelled in a Stutz
touring car.
was a "Truck Train" (convoy
) of the US Army Motor Transport Corps
that drove over 3000 mi (4,828 km) from Washington, D.C.
, to Oakland, California
, and ferried to San Francisco. In addition to 230 road incidents (stops for adjustments, extrications, breakdowns, & accidents) resulting in 9 vehicles retiring, the convoy of "24 expeditionary officers, 15 War Department staff observation officers, and 258 enlisted men" ((e.g., Bvt
Lt Col Dwight D. Eisenhower
of the Tank Corps
) had 21 injured en route who did not complete the trip. Although some "were really competent drivers" by the end, the majority of soldiers were "raw recruits with little or no military training"; and except for the Motor Supply Company E commander (1st Lt Daniel H. Martin), troop officers had "meager knowledge" of "handling men in the field".
The convoy broke and repaired 88 wooden bridges (14 in Wyoming), and "practically" all roadways were unpaved from Illinois through Nevada. The convoy logged 3250 mi (5,230.4 km) logged miles in 573.5 hours. and 6 rest days without convoy travel were used. Convoy delays required extra encampments and, at Oakland, California
, the convoy was 7 days behind schedule (ferrying the next morning on the last travel day).
was "to secure accurate information to be used in connection with the carrying of mails by airplains, and for military purposes, as well as commercial purposes."
The convoy's trip proceeded smoothly as far as Atlanta. However, as it moved west into Tennessee
, its progress slowed. Detours became necessary due to flooding and the crossing of the "black gumbo" of the Mississippi River
proved very problematic. Despite high hopes, the Southern United States proved to be the worst part of the trip. The convoy encountered almost impassable sands between Maricopa
and Wellton, Arizona
.
Like the first convoy, at every stop the expedition was met by local celebrations and dances. After 111 days and an average rate of less than 30 miles per day, the convoy reached the West Coast where an officer's banquet was given in San Diego. After its arrival in San Diego, the convoy then went north to Los Angeles and was broken up, its equipment distributed to California's public services as part of a program to make use of war surplus
.
The officers of the expedition became convinced by their experience that the maintenance of a national highway system should be the province of the federal government
, as supported by the Townsend Bill. However, despite the widespread friendly greetings received by the convoys across the nation, neither generated enough public support to ensure passage of the Townsend Bill, which failed and was replaced by the Federal Highway Act of 1921
. Both convoys are identified on the Zero Milestone
on the Ellipse
in Washington, D.C.
, 19 ¾ ton trucks, seven 1½ ton trucks, six 2½ ton trucks, three cargo trucks, nine motorcycles, and four sedans took part. The oldest vehicle to take part was a 1917 four-wheel drive
3 ton ammunition truck.
The reenactors had three purposes: along with retracing the route of 1919 convoy over the historic Lincoln Highway, they paid tribute to the U.S. military and commemorated the 200th anniversary of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln
.
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
s, including three US Army truck trains, that crossed the United States (one was coast-to-coast) to the west coast. The 1919 Motor Transport Corps convoy from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco used the incomplete Lincoln Highway
Lincoln Highway
The Lincoln Highway was the first road across the United States of America.Conceived and promoted by entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, the Lincoln Highway spanned coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, originally through 13 states: New York, New Jersey,...
.
Background
| Date | Event | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1903 1907 1911 1912 1912 1913-07-28 1914-11 1915-08-25 1916-07-11 1917-07-04 1917-12 1918-06-02 1918-12-01 1919-03-27 |
1st transcontinental trip by car. 1st US Army truck purchase. The Boy Scouts created the Automobiling merit badge Discontinued merit badges (Boy Scouts of America) This is a list of merit badges formerly offered by the Boy Scouts of America. In some cases, the entire subject has been dropped from the merit badge roster... . Packard truck carried 3 tons from New York New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... to San Francisco. The United States Good Roads Association John H. Bankhead John Hollis Bankhead was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama.-Biography:He was born on September 13, 1842. He was appointed, then elected, to serve out the remainder of the term left by the death of John Tyler Morgan, and was later re-elected twice. He served in the Senate from June 18, 1907... was formed.http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R2AlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vBQGAAAAIBAJ&pg=4272,1326099&dq=good-roads-movement&hl=en US Army Alaska expedition used a White Motor White Motor Company White Motor Company was an American automobile and truck manufacturer from 1900 until 1980. The company also produced bicycles, roller skates, automatic lathes, and sewing machines. Before World War II, the company was based in Cleveland, Ohio.-History:... truck.http://www.google.com/search?q=%22White+Truck%22+army+glacier+alaska&tbs=nws:1,ar:1&source=newspapers The Army reported 1½ ton trucks as superior to 2½ ton trucks.http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F40816FE3B5916738DDDA10894D9415B848DF1D3 Transcontinental motor convoy by film crew.http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F70F15FC385B17738DDDAC0994D0405B858DF1D3http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_L4lAAAAIBAJ&sjid=U_QFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6041,4897769&dq=1915+ostermann+lincoln&hl=enhttp://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/ca/traveler/2008-04/traveler-2008-04.pdf 1st Federal highway funding legislation Federal Aid Road Act of 1916 The Federal Aid Road Act of 1916, 39 Stat. 355, was enacted on July 11, 1916, and was the first federal highway funding legislation in the United States. It was introduced by Rep. Dorsey W. Shackleford of Missouri, then amended by Sen. John H. Bankhead of Alabama to conform with model legislation... (five year plan).http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R2AlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vBQGAAAAIBAJ&pg=4272,1326099&dq=good-roads-movement&hl=en Flagpole memorial placed at west Lincoln Highway terminus.http://www.lincoln-highway-museum.org/Magazine/Grizzly-Index.html US Army convoy from Detroit to an "Atlantic Coast port"http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=FA0710FE355F157A93C5A81789D95F438185F9 The US Army School for Truck Drivers had "just opened". Chicago-to-New York City convoy set Army distance record. 90,727 WWI World War I World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918... trucks had been produced for the Army & Navy.http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F40E14FC3A5D147A93C2A81789D85F4D8185F9 The Ship-by-Truck Association was formed. |
||
The United States' Good Roads Movement
Good Roads Movement
The Good Roads Movement occurred in the United States between the late 1870s and the 1920s. Advocates for improved roads led by bicyclists turned local agitation into a national political movement....
of the late 19th century began as increased use of bicycles required better surfaces over the existing wagon and carriage roads. The development of the automobile and their increased use resulted in the formation of the United States Good Roads Association
John H. Bankhead
John Hollis Bankhead was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama.-Biography:He was born on September 13, 1842. He was appointed, then elected, to serve out the remainder of the term left by the death of John Tyler Morgan, and was later re-elected twice. He served in the Senate from June 18, 1907...
and various individual cross-country trips by individual vehicles, followed by the first transcontinental trip by a convoy of vehicles.
1915 transcontinental film convoy
The 1915 transcontinental film convoy was a 4-month motor convoy beginning August 25 and ending at the Panama–Pacific International ExpositionPanama–Pacific International Exposition
The Panama-Pacific International Exposition was a world's fair held in San Francisco, California between February 20 and December 4 in 1915. Its ostensible purpose was to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal, but it was widely seen in the city as an opportunity to showcase its recovery...
in San Francisco. The film crew completed the "Three-Mile Picture Show" (named for the length of film). The film was directed by Henry Ostermann, Consul at Large for the Lincoln Highway
Lincoln Highway
The Lincoln Highway was the first road across the United States of America.Conceived and promoted by entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, the Lincoln Highway spanned coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, originally through 13 states: New York, New Jersey,...
Association, who travelled in a Stutz
Stutz
Stutz may refer to:*Harry C. Stutz , American automobile pioneer and manufacturer of luxury cars and fire engines*Josef Stutz , Swiss Conservative politician*Stutz Motor Company, American luxury cars producer...
touring car.
1919 Motor Transport Corps convoy
The 1919 Motor Transport Corps convoyFirst Transcontinental Convoy
The 1919 Motor Transport Corps convoy was a long distance convoy carried out by the US Army Motor Transport Corps that drove over from Washington, D.C., to Oakland, California and then by ferry over to end in San Francisco.Lt Col Charles W. McClure and Capt Bernard H...
was a "Truck Train" (convoy
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
) of the US Army Motor Transport Corps
Motor Transport Corps (United States Army) (World War One)
The Motor Transport Corps was formed out of the Quartermaster Corps on 15 August 1918, by General Order No. 75. Men needed to staff this new corps were recruited from the skilled tradesmen working for automotive manufacturers in the U.S....
that drove over 3000 mi (4,828 km) from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, to Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, and ferried to San Francisco. In addition to 230 road incidents (stops for adjustments, extrications, breakdowns, & accidents) resulting in 9 vehicles retiring, the convoy of "24 expeditionary officers, 15 War Department staff observation officers, and 258 enlisted men" ((e.g., Bvt
Brevet
Brevet may refer to:* Brevet , a temporary authorization for a person to hold a higher rank* Brevet , a long-distance bicycle ride with check-point controls* Aircrew brevet, a Royal Air Force and British Army badge...
Lt Col Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
of the Tank Corps
United States Tank Corps
The Tank Corps of the American Expeditionary Force was the mechanized unit that conducted American tank combat in World War I. An initial plan for 2,000 light Renault FT-17 tanks and 200 heavy British Mark VI tanks was changed to 20 battalions of 77 light tanks each and 10 battalions of 45 heavy...
) had 21 injured en route who did not complete the trip. Although some "were really competent drivers" by the end, the majority of soldiers were "raw recruits with little or no military training"; and except for the Motor Supply Company E commander (1st Lt Daniel H. Martin), troop officers had "meager knowledge" of "handling men in the field".
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, the convoy was 7 days behind schedule (ferrying the next morning on the last travel day).
1919 Air Service Transcontinental Recruiting Convoy
The 1919 Air Service Transcontinental Recruiting Convoy was a "mobile army post".http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA081EFA385C1B728DDDA90994D0405B898DF1D3 of over 1/2 mile long to support 13 aircraft from Hazelhurst Field to California beginning August 14, 1919. The mission of the All American PathfindersAll American Pathfinders
The All American Pathfinders aeroplane unit was a squadron with 13 aircraft and associated road vehicles used in the "1919 Air Service Transcontinental Recruiting Convoy" from Hazelhurst Field to California that began on August 14, 1919...
was "to secure accurate information to be used in connection with the carrying of mails by airplains, and for military purposes, as well as commercial purposes."
1920 Motor Transport Corps convoy
The 1920 Motor Transport Corps convoy left Washington on 14 June 1920 and followed the Bankhead Highway to San Diego, California, where it arrived on 2 October. A smaller expedition than the first, the second convoy consisted of 50 vehicles, 32 officers, and 160 enlisted men under Col John F. Franklin. A rate of 45–60 miles per day was initially estimated, commensurate with that of the first convoy.The convoy's trip proceeded smoothly as far as Atlanta. However, as it moved west into Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, its progress slowed. Detours became necessary due to flooding and the crossing of the "black gumbo" of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
proved very problematic. Despite high hopes, the Southern United States proved to be the worst part of the trip. The convoy encountered almost impassable sands between Maricopa
Maricopa, Arizona
-Surrounding Municipalities:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 43,482 people, 14,359 households, and 11,110 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,356.8 people per square mile . There were 17,240 housing units at an average density of 540.4 per square mile...
and Wellton, Arizona
Wellton, Arizona
Wellton is a town in Yuma County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 1,862. It is part of the Yuma Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Wellton is located at ....
.
Like the first convoy, at every stop the expedition was met by local celebrations and dances. After 111 days and an average rate of less than 30 miles per day, the convoy reached the West Coast where an officer's banquet was given in San Diego. After its arrival in San Diego, the convoy then went north to Los Angeles and was broken up, its equipment distributed to California's public services as part of a program to make use of war surplus
Military surplus
Military surplus are goods, usually matériel, that are sold or otherwise disposed of when no longer needed by the military. Entrepreneurs often buy these goods and resell them at surplus stores. Military surplus rarely includes weapons or munitions, though they are occasionally found in such stores...
.
The officers of the expedition became convinced by their experience that the maintenance of a national highway system should be the province of the federal government
Federal government
The federal government is the common government of a federation. The structure of federal governments varies from institution to institution. Based on a broad definition of a basic federal political system, there are two or more levels of government that exist within an established territory and...
, as supported by the Townsend Bill. However, despite the widespread friendly greetings received by the convoys across the nation, neither generated enough public support to ensure passage of the Townsend Bill, which failed and was replaced by the Federal Highway Act of 1921
Federal Aid Highway Act of 1921 (Phipps Act)
The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1921, November 9, 1921, ,sponsored by Sen. Lawrence C. Phipps of Colorado, defined the Federal Aid Road program to develop an immense national highway system. The plan was crafted by the head of the National Highway Commission, Thomas MacDonald and was the first...
. Both convoys are identified on the Zero Milestone
Zero Milestone
The Zero Milestone is a zero mile marker monument in Washington, D.C. intended as the initial milestone from which all road distances in the United States should be reckoned when it was built. At present, only roads in the Washington, D.C...
on the Ellipse
President's Park
President's Park, located in Washington, D.C., encompasses the White House, a visitor center, Lafayette Square, and The Ellipse. President's Park was the original name of Lafayette Square. The current President's Park is administered by the National Park Service.-White House:Washington, D.C...
in Washington, D.C.
2009 commemoration of 1919 convoy
In the summer of 2009, on the 90th anniversary of the original trek, the Military Vehicle Preservation Association sponsored a re-enactment of the 1919 convoy. Beginning June 10, following the original route as much as possible and duplicating the original schedule, the convoy set out from Washington, D.C. Over the length of the convoy, more than 150 historic military vehicles, including 50 military jeepsWillys MB
The Willys MB US Army Jeep and the Ford GPW, were manufactured from 1941 to 1945. These small four-wheel drive utility vehicles are considered the iconic World War II Jeep, and inspired many similar light utility vehicles. Over the years, the World War II Jeep later evolved into the "CJ" civilian...
, 19 ¾ ton trucks, seven 1½ ton trucks, six 2½ ton trucks, three cargo trucks, nine motorcycles, and four sedans took part. The oldest vehicle to take part was a 1917 four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
3 ton ammunition truck.
The reenactors had three purposes: along with retracing the route of 1919 convoy over the historic Lincoln Highway, they paid tribute to the U.S. military and commemorated the 200th anniversary of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
.