 Connecticut served as the flagship for the Jamestown Exposition in mid @-@ 1907 , which commemorated the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown colony . She later sailed with the Great White Fleet on a circumnavigation of the Earth to showcase the US Navy 's growing fleet of blue @-@ water @-@ capable ships . After completing her service with the Great White Fleet , Connecticut participated in several flag @-@ waving exercises intended to protect American citizens abroad until she was pressed into service as a troop transport at the end of World War I to expedite the return of American Expeditionary Forces from France . 
