Why were so many pre-dreadnought-era warships painted white?

Why were most warships of the period painted white?

White was fashionable and diplomatic, projected confidence, and made dirt easy to spot so the ship could be kept clean and healthy.

White was a widely shared naval fashion in the period, much as gray later became standard. It also carried diplomatic meaning: a conspicuous white fleet advertised that its navy felt strong enough not to hide. The United States' Great White Fleet made that visual confidence part of a global cruise. On board, white surfaces exposed dirt quickly, helping officers enforce cleanliness and thereby protect crew health.