I got to wondering if Marines were regularly stationed on the USS Michigan?
One of the photos displayed, at the Erie Maritime Museum, shows a Marine standing with two sailor friends.
In front of them is what appears to be a .45 caliber Gatling Gun on a carriage and the very top of a Colt 'potato-digger', on a carriage.
(The picture is not really dated).
I had a Lucky Find, earlier today, on the internet. It was a group of three fuzzy photos, that were auctioned about 10 years ago, from the estate of a SAW sailor, (Pvt. David James).
One was specifically dated 1899 and 'titled' Marine Guards - USS Michigan. Two of the pics bear the names of the Marines.
Two Marines, standing near a 'rapid-fire' deck-gun, appear to have Winchester-Lee bayonets and cartridge belts.
The Marines in formation likely have Winchester-Lee's, judging by the slenderness of their rifles.
(You can likely find the site by google searching): USS Michigan USMC Span-Am Guard Detail - EPHEMERA
Marines of the USS Michigan
- butlersrangers
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Marines of the USS Michigan
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- Wolverine - Gatling and Colt potato digger.jpg (259.36 KiB) Viewed 933 times
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- USSMich 1899 marines1.png (718.14 KiB) Viewed 933 times
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- ussmich 1899 marines2 png (2).png (790.41 KiB) Viewed 933 times
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- ussmich 1899 marines3 (2).png (786.41 KiB) Viewed 933 times
Last edited by butlersrangers on Tue Sep 21, 2021 12:42 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- butlersrangers
- Posts: 9909
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:35 pm
- Location: Below the Bridge, Michigan
Re: Marines of the USS Michigan
I believe this is Pvt. David W. James, U.S.M.C. (He is also, likely, the mustached man behind the deck-gun).
In 1895, he went through the Neptune Ceremony, when a previous ship crossed the Equator.
It is a pity such an archive got broken up!
In 1895, he went through the Neptune Ceremony, when a previous ship crossed the Equator.
It is a pity such an archive got broken up!
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- ussmich 1899 marines3 pvt. James.png (37.13 KiB) Viewed 929 times
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- USSMich 1899 marines1.png (718.14 KiB) Viewed 929 times
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- USMC Neptune Cert..jpg (84.57 KiB) Viewed 929 times
Re: Marines of the USS Michigan
Being a former Marine, I always enjoy reading about the history of the Corps. Thanks for posting the pics.
Semper Fi
Semper Fi