Pineapple Marines: USMC Camp Very, Honolulu Harbor, T.H. 1904-1913

[Salvage Sailor]

Aloha Everyone,

 

The United States Marines first established a permanent presence in Hawaii in 1904 arriving on the USAT SHERIDAN.  For four years, the Marine Battalion lived in an empty coal shed at the Honolulu Naval Station (est. 1899 at Honolulu Harbor, not Pearl Harbor as the channel was not yet dredged for shipping).  

 

 

Arriving at Fort Armstrong they established a camp site adjacent to the new fort.  (Soon to be posted by the 1st Coast Artillery Company, followed by the 104th Mine Co. operating the harbor mines. Also stationed there was the 185th Coast Artillery Company)

 

 

From 1908 until about 1913, the Marines lived in tents at nearby Camp Very (named in honor of Captain Samuel W Very, Commandant of the Naval Station) “a site which was later known as Fort Armstrong”.  (Photo above circa 1910)

 

 

A Company Camp Very 1909

 

 

From the Camp newsletter 1911

 

 

Colorized photo postcard made from the above

 

 

Marine Corps HQ Camp Very, Honolulu, T.H.

 

 

 

From my Pineapple Marines archive:  USMC Battalion marching in Honolulu 1909

 

 

Determined Americans serving their country 'abroad'

 

 

USMC Sergeants in marching order 1909

 

 

Company Officers with Sabers

 

Barely a decade after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, the local ladies and gents don't seem too pleased.

 

 

A crowd of 'local' onlookers waiting for the Battalion to pass

 

 

 

And how do we know this is Honolulu?  The ladies are standing in front of 137 King Street, the Stanley Stephenson Sign Company (advertisement clipped from The Hawaiian Star, page 8 01/09/1905  above)

 

 

 

USMC Battalion posted at Camp Very, Honolulu Harbor, circa 1909, Marching down King Street

 

[Dirk]

Good thread Salvage! I have a letter or two from a Marine officer who was there when Bo Harlee was in charge of the Det. An understudied detachment imho. 

[Salvage Sailor]

HAWAIIAN DEPARTMENT POSTS ON OAHU, TERRITORY OF HAWAII (1906-1917)

Including Naval Stations

 

[GWS]

I'm glad you gave the King St. address  of the march, I would have guessed Hotel St. otherwise.  It looks like Krag rifles and M-1903 cartridge belts?

[Salvage Sailor]

 

Period postcard made from the image above