The US Marine Detachment 1797 will make Portsmouth its only United Kingdom port of call in February on a visit to celebrate the bicentennial of America' s most historic ship. The Detachment from the Boston-based USS Constitution Museum Foundation will be dressed in the uniforms of the United States Marines 1797, and use replicas of the weapons supplied to the United States Sea Services during this period.
They will be performing displays at the Royal Marines Museum, Southsea, on Friday 23 February, while on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 February, the 15 strong Detachment will be staging drill demonstrations and talks at Portsmouth Histonc Ships. (This is the name given to the collection of vessels in Portsmouth Dockyard ie HMS Victory, the Mary Rose and HMS Warrior). The programme will comprise foot and musket drill (including firing) and talks on the life and times of the early Marines of the USA. On Saturday the displays will take place beside HMS Victory, while on the Sunday the event will be staged alongside HMS Warrior.
There are many interesting parallels between Portsmouth Historic Ships and their American counterpart. The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat, whereas HMS Victory in dry dock is the oldest commissioned warship in the world. Incidentally, the Constitution was launched on 21 October 1797, eight years to the day before HMS Victory acheived immortality. The USS Constitution was known as Old Ironsides following a series of engagements during the War of 1812. Her crew was astonished to see British cannon balls bouncing off her wooden hull; prompting them to cry "Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!"
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is open daily from 10am until 5.30pm in February. As there is so much to see in the Dockyard, it is advisable to get there first thing in the morning and spend the day viewing the exhibits that interest you, aside from the US Marine Detachment. For adults, the admission to HMS Victory (this includes admission to the Royal Naval Museum), HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose is 4.95 (pounds) per exhibit. If you want to take in more than one ship, then I recommend that you consider the All-In Ticket. Adults pay 9.90 (pounds) for a ticket that allows them to visit all three ships plus the Royal Naval Museum (for the price of two ships). Students and Senior Citizens get reduced rates of entry. Cafeteria facilities are available in the Dockyard.
For further information contact the Public Relations Office, Flagship Portsmouth, telephone 01705 870999.
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Copyright 1996 by First Empire.