Research for Fleet proj

So far I have researched the dates and such of the fleet. On December 16, 1907 the fleet to circumnavigate the world began.  The Americans decided to fulfill the fleet to demonstrate the "Big Stick Diplomacy" The Big Stick Diplomacy involves Theodore Roosevelt's idea of "speak softly and carry a big stick."Roosevelt wanted to take control of nations through naval power so that America could become a stronger nation. The name of the Great White Fleet came from all the ships painted white. Was the GWF painted white to help bananas?