thedrifter
02-15-08, 08:23 AM
Marines' role in War of 1812
Posted By Kathleen Powell
Marines served on both British and American ships throughout the War of 1812. Not a regular navy sailor and not a regular army soldier, the Marines served as ship-board soldiers who provided policing, kept order, suppressed mutinies, guarded prisoners and protected coastal fortifications.
Marines were used to board enemy ships and defend their own ships from boarders, as well as manning the ships guns and carrying out amphibious operations.
Since the Royal Marines were not technically sailors, their "recruiting" parties could not resort to impressment to fill out the ranks. Instead, a bounty was offered to those willing to serve in this capacity. Regular soldiers were even offered a bounty to transfer to the Marines.
Armed with a ship's musket - a shorter version of the regular weapon - Marines provided covering fire from the ship's Quarterdeck, and manned the artillery on deck, including mortars and ship's guns as well as Congreve rockets.
The Royal Marines fought in every major naval action of the war. Their most significant contribution was in the campaign in the Chesapeake region where they took part in amphibious operations, plus assaults on Washington and Baltimore.
Recruiting for the American Marines was also difficult and led to frequent shortages in filling their ranks throughout the war. One difficulty was that U.S. Marine privates were paid less than their navy counterparts and were offered a smaller bounty that their army counterparts.
American Marines were also involved in the duel between the ships "Chesapeake" and "Shannon," where they lost more than 75 per cent of their number, and in military actions around New Orleans in the final days of the war.
For more information about the War of 1812, check out my blog at: www.niagarafallsreview.ca
Ellie
Posted By Kathleen Powell
Marines served on both British and American ships throughout the War of 1812. Not a regular navy sailor and not a regular army soldier, the Marines served as ship-board soldiers who provided policing, kept order, suppressed mutinies, guarded prisoners and protected coastal fortifications.
Marines were used to board enemy ships and defend their own ships from boarders, as well as manning the ships guns and carrying out amphibious operations.
Since the Royal Marines were not technically sailors, their "recruiting" parties could not resort to impressment to fill out the ranks. Instead, a bounty was offered to those willing to serve in this capacity. Regular soldiers were even offered a bounty to transfer to the Marines.
Armed with a ship's musket - a shorter version of the regular weapon - Marines provided covering fire from the ship's Quarterdeck, and manned the artillery on deck, including mortars and ship's guns as well as Congreve rockets.
The Royal Marines fought in every major naval action of the war. Their most significant contribution was in the campaign in the Chesapeake region where they took part in amphibious operations, plus assaults on Washington and Baltimore.
Recruiting for the American Marines was also difficult and led to frequent shortages in filling their ranks throughout the war. One difficulty was that U.S. Marine privates were paid less than their navy counterparts and were offered a smaller bounty that their army counterparts.
American Marines were also involved in the duel between the ships "Chesapeake" and "Shannon," where they lost more than 75 per cent of their number, and in military actions around New Orleans in the final days of the war.
For more information about the War of 1812, check out my blog at: www.niagarafallsreview.ca
Ellie