I enjoy exploring my city's history, especially episodes not widely known, and the one which happened right after the World War One is one of my favourite.

From 1918 to 1921, victorious nations of the World War I deployed their fleet to Split. Those were the days of dissolution of the Austrian-Hungarian empire, and local people had great hopes for the future, but the then Italy threatened with territory claims in Dalmatia. During almost three years of its presence in Split, fleet had a task to secure peace, but also made a significant impact on life in Split. As a result, US Navy rear admiral Philip Andrews was awarded as an honorary citizen of Split, as the only second person in history to earn this honour.

First allies' ships sailed into Split as soon as in November of 1918 to stop Italian irredentists. Very soon Split looked like Berlin in 1945, with patrols of American, British, French and Italian soldiers. After months of tensions, things got better in February 1919 upon arrival of admiral Andrews on board USS Olympia. In ship's log there was a remark "Destination: Spalato, Dalmatia".

This New York native strongly opposed Italian ambitions. Tensions reached peak when irredentist militiamen lead by writer Gabrielle D'Annunzio arrived in Trogir in 1919, and admiral Andrews deployed one hundred of sailors and officers making D'Annunzio to withdraw. The New York Times, as well as many other US newspapers, reported on this, under headline "Andrews Maintain Order".

But fleet's presence wasn't only about politics. The whole town danced with jazz; American movies were shown; baseball, tennis and other sports were introduced to Split. Other nations' crews also participated. Local football team Hajduk played regularly against British ships' teams, and rowing races were also popular. French started reading halls, and organized balls for prominent citizens. According to the then news reports, main entertainment spot was the Café on New Coast, near today's railway station, where live jazz band played the latest dances. Nightlife erupted in bars and night clubs, and dance hall had been established even in the Archaeological Museum.

There were also marriages with local women. Popular Split writer Marko Uvodić even wrote a short story "There Is No Place Like Split", about a father who travelled all the way to Philippines to visit his daughter married to an American officer. There were deaths, too. Some sailors were buried on the local cemetery Sustipan. Parties on ships were almost daily routine. With correspondents from all the major US newspapers, USA suddenly heard about Split. On a local side, theatre performed often for navy members, and there were even hunting trips to Marjan hill. Finally, as a sort of living monument, Split-born classical music composer Ivo  Tijardović included characters of American sailors Willy and Johnny in his popular operetta "Split Aquarelle".

There were side effects, too. A lot of brothels opened, and alcohol-driven fights were often, with regular Military police intervention. During admiral's first month and a half of commanding, 37 sailors were discharged without honour, and eleven ended at the military court for not complying with the prohibition which was enforced in the USA. There were awards, too. Sailors regularly travelled to island Brač, but also Dubrovnik and Sarajevo, even Rome and Belgrade.

Admiral Andrews left Split on board USS Olympia on April 26, 1921, and in September 1924 Split city council awarded him unanimously as an honorary citizen of Split, for his merits in hard post-war days. Awarding ceremony was the last time admiral Andrews visited his town Split, he passed away in 1935.