US Marines In Hawaii

A detachment of United States Marines in Hawaii, circa 1893. At the outbreak of the Revolution (1893) which deposed Queen Liliuokalani, it seemed that the lives and property of resident Americans were jeopardized. Accordingly the commander of the United States cruiser 'Boston ' then lying in the harbour of Honolulu landed a detachment of marines for their protection. The men took a defensive position, and the guns (a Hotchkiss and a Gatling) were placed so as to command the approaches. The trouble never came, and the men were recalled. However, it was just this display of force that caused President to withdraw the Annexation Bill, for the presence of the United States marines contributed greatly to the success of the Revolution and he was unwilling to have the United States seem to profit by an insurrectionary movement countenanced by landing the marines. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)