Arizona Navy 1934: When a Desert State Went to War

In this thrilling episode of "Rainy Day Rabbit Holes," we journey into the bizarre and largely forgotten chapter of Arizona's history—its brief and utterly absurd foray into naval warfare. Yes, you heard that right! Arizona, a state renowned for its breathtaking desert landscapes and the mighty Grand Canyon, once boasted its own navy, albeit one that floated on borrowed ferry boats.

The tale unfolds against the backdrop of the Colorado River, a lifeline that snakes its way through seven states, including Arizona, California, and Nevada. This river is no ordinary waterway; it has shaped the political landscape of the American Southwest, and its waters have been a source of contention since the early 20th century. In 1922, the Colorado River Compact was signed, dividing the river's water among the states. However, Arizona—smaller in population and resources compared to its neighbor California—was left feeling shortchanged and distrustful of the agreements that favored its more populous counterpart.

Fast forward to the 1930s, when tensions reached a boiling point. As California began constructing the Parker Dam to create Lake Havasu, Arizona's leaders, fueled by a sense of betrayal, decided they would not stand idly by. Governor Benjamin Baker Mower, with a flair for the dramatic, dispatched Arizona National Guardsmen to patrol the dam site and declared martial law. Thus, the Arizona Navy was born—comprised of two ferry boats, commandeered for the purpose of asserting control over the contested waters.

But the story doesn’t end there. Arizona’s one and only admiral, Nelly T. Bush—a ferry boat owner and one of Arizona's pioneering female legislators—commanded this ragtag fleet for a mere 48 hours before an unfortunate mishap left the boats tangled in construction equipment. Newspapers had a field day, dubbing the incident "Arizona Declares War on California by Boat," while the state celebrated a victory of sorts, halting construction and forcing the federal government to take notice.

The conflict culminated in a Supreme Court ruling that initially favored Arizona, but ultimately, the Parker Dam was authorized, and construction resumed. This episode paints a vivid picture of state-level stubbornness and the lengths to which Arizona went to defend its water rights. The saga of the Arizona Navy, while brief, highlights the tension and rivalry that continues to simmer between Arizona and California over water resources to this day.

Join us in this episode as we peel back the layers of a story filled with political intrigue, colorful characters, and a dash of absurdity that exemplifies the unhinged side of history. Discover how this peculiar naval chapter unfolded and the lasting implications it holds for water rights in the Southwest. Tune in to hear more about Nelly T. Bush’s remarkable journey and the peculiar legacy of Arizona’s fleeting naval ambitions—because in the battle over water, even the desert state was prepared to float its fight!