Chile--Cape Horn

Colorized stereograph showing a Marine drill on the USS Connecticut. The Marines, most of whom are in a line on the deck of the ship and facing away from the camera, are dressed in blue uniforms. Text on the reverse of the stereograph details the duties of the Marines on board navy ships.

Comments and Context

As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “The marine is an infantry man or a line soldier. A distinct body of soldiers, drilled and recruited as a special arm of the United States service, and is attached in squads or companies to the different battleships going on foreign service. They do guard duty and sometimes have charge of the small rapid-firing guns in action. Their main duty, however, is in landing parties or taking charge or doing guard in the interest of Uncle Sam. In other words, the marine is the policeman of Uncle Sam, and landed on foreign shores to do soldier’s duty wherever required. In the fleet going around the Horn there are over 2,000 of these marines assigned to the different battleships and cruisers.”

Colorized stereograph of the USS Oregon. Several soldiers, many wearing white uniforms, can be seen on the deck of the ship, and an American flag is raised at the back of the ship. Text on the reverse of the stereograph details the history of the Oregon as a battleship in the Spanish-American War, as well as various features of the ship and the armaments on board.

Comments and Context

As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “Even if we have a magnificent fleet going around the Horn, we must not forget the Oregon that made the phenomenal trip from San Francisco and took part in the battle at Santiago while the nation held its breath, while American learnt what a battleship really meant, nor can we in this generation forget the Oregon even if it has not the first place in our fleet; it has the first place in our hearts, so in presenting the magnificent types of battleships we offer you no apology for giving you a view of the battleship Oregon.

The battleship Oregon is of special interest on account of her trip from the Pacific Coast around Cape Horn to Key West to fight the nation’s battles. Leaving San Francisco March 12th, 1898, she arrived at Jupiter Inlet, Florida, May 24th, covering a distance of 17,000 miles with pauses for coal only, without a break of any sort, and played an important part in the destruction of Cervera’s fleet. After her long journey, without having had any repairs, she gave chase to and aided in defeating the Christobal Colon, one of the fleetest cruisers in the world.