USMC In Egypt 1882 (1 Viewer)

[PolarBear]

A number of us are collectors of figures from the Anglo-Egyptian War (1882) and are familiar with the British forces who took part in the 1882 campaign such as the 42nd Highlanders and the Royal Marines as illustrated below:


Illustrations:
42nd Highlander Black Watch Egypt 1882 (W. Britain)
Royal Marine Egypt 1882 (From onesixthwarriors.com)

 

[PolarBear]

Today, however, I discovered in my reading that the U.S. Marine Corps also intervened in Egypt in 1882. This was made possible by the presence of the sloop USS Lancaster that was part of the European Station or Squadron which was part of the US Navy in the late 19th and early 20tth Century. Prior to the end of the American Civil War it had been called the Mediterranean Squadron. In September of 1881 it sailed from Portsmouth, New Hampshire via New York to Europe where it became the flagship of the European Squadron. Part of its duties were to cruise the waters of the Mediterranean protecting American citizens and commerce in the area. From June 27th to July 20th it was at the port of Alexandria, Egypt where riots by the Egyptians against the British and Westerners broke out there. On July 11th the British fleet bombarded the Egyptian forts there and also destroyed a number structures in the city leading to looting and pillaging by the local inhabitants. To protect the U.S. Consulate and rescue American citizens, the Lancaster dispatched a naval landing party of 69 sailors and 63 Marines. The Marines were also assigned to aid the British forces there in protecting the European Quarter of the city. The Times of London acknowledged the contributions of the Americans:

"Lord Charles Beresford states that without the assistance of the American Marines he would have been unable to discharge the numerous duties of suppressing fires, preventing looting, burying the dead, and clearing the streets."


Illustrations:

Egyptian Fortifications, Alexandria 1882

Royal Navy Bombardment of Alexandria 1882

Damaged Buildings, Alexandria 1882

Royal Marines in Alexandria 1882

US Marines Marching through Alexandria 1882

 

[aujj65]

Randy, didn't know that, (well never too old to learn something new every day)

Thanks

Jeff

 

[Scott]

Agreed! Great illustration of the USMC.

I wonder how reliable the 45-70s would be in Egypt.

 

[skeeterbuck]

Great post and pic as usual Randy. This info was new to me also. It's true that you do learn something new everyday.

Chuck

 

[marco55]

As much as I've read on Egypt and the Sudan in the 1880's I never knew that either.
Mark

 

[DCN1898]

Agreed! Great illustration of the USMC.

I wonder how reliable the 45-70s would be in Egypt.

As long as they didn't have the copper cased ammunition that Custer had, They should have worked fine!

 

[GICOP]

Great bit of info there Randy, I didn't realise the USMC had a part to play either.

Thank you for posting this along with the pictures

Cheers

Martyn

 

[GICOP]

Here is a picture of Royal Marines and US Marines in Alexandria from my July 29th 1882 ILN.

Interesting to see the caption of the ILN picture read “English Marines”

Cheers

Martyn

 

[PolarBear]

Martyn

Thanks for posting the U.S.Marines in Alexandria.

The official report was that they were there to protect U.S. citizens and interests during the conflict, a duty the USMC has carried out many times in its history. The uniforms still have a Civil War look to them. It would be great if Britains added one of these to its USMC Museum Collection.

 

[GICOP]

Martyn

Thanks for posting the U.S.Marines in Alexandria.

The official report was that they were there to protect U.S. citizens and interests during the conflict, a duty the USMC has carried out many times in its history. The uniforms still have a Civil War look to them. It would be great if Britains added one of these to its USMC Museum Collection.

Hi Randy

I agree, the addition of the USMC would be great. I need to search out some Trophy Civil War Union troops that is a campaign I have not collected

Cheers

Martyn

 

[Martin Tabony]

Today, however, I discovered in my reading that the U.S. Marine Corps also intervened in Egypt in 1882. This was made possible by the presence of the sloop USS Lancaster that was part of the European Station or Squadron which was part of the US Navy in the late 19th and early 20tth Century. Prior to the end of the American Civil War it had been called the Mediterranean Squadron. In September of 1881 it sailed from Portsmouth, New Hampshire via New York to Europe where it became the flagship of the European Squadron. Part of its duties were to cruise the waters of the Mediterranean protecting American citizens and commerce in the area. From June 27th to July 20th it was at the port of Alexandria, Egypt where riots by the Egyptians against the British and Westerners broke out there. On July 11th the British fleet bombarded the Egyptian forts there and also destroyed a number structures in the city leading to looting and pillaging by the local inhabitants. To protect the U.S. Consulate and rescue American citizens, the Lancaster dispatched a naval landing party of 69 sailors and 63 Marines. The Marines were also assigned to aid the British forces there in protecting the European Quarter of the city. The Times of London acknowledged the contributions of the Americans:

"Lord Charles Beresford states that without the assistance of the American Marines he would have been unable to discharge the numerous duties of suppressing fires, preventing looting, burying the dead, and clearing the streets."


Illustrations:

Egyptian Fortifications, Alexandria 1882

Royal Navy Bombardment of Alexandria 1882

Damaged Buildings, Alexandria 1882

Royal Marines in Alexandria 1882

US Marines Marching through Alexandria 1882

So the "special relationship" has lasted longer than I realised.
It's true that you learn someting new every day.
Martin