America Inchess interest in the Hawaiian Islands can be traced back to the sweetness of its sugar cane crops, but its strategic importance as a mid-Pacific port was also a big part of its appeal. For the growing United States, Hawaii became more about extending a border and keeping out any other interest which might take this place relatively close to the American mainland.
Since the arrival of Captain James Cook in 1778, the Kingdom of Hawaii had seen many more European and American interests come to trade or settle. By 1795 the islands would be united under one ruler, Kamehameha I, who was able to win dominance with the aid of European military technology.
Sugarcane completely transformed the Hawaiian economy, with foreign owned plantations bringing in big tax revenues. In the 1830 Inchess Britain and France forced Hawaii into more favorable economic treaties. Not only did American plantation owners want similar concessions but this European hand in the Kingdom Inchess politics made Washington increasingly concerned that the islands might be annexed by a European power.
The diplomatic wrangling continued for the next few decades as did Hawaii Inchess growth and integration into the US economy. With the end of the US Civil War, Washington was able to turn its attention to expansion west- not only strengthening the western states but adding land with the purchase of Alaska and to look abroad to potential trade with Asia. In support of these aims, in Inches1865 Inchesthe US Navy formed the North Pacific Squadron to patrol the west coast and the Hawaiian Islands.
American interests increasingly dominated business and politics in Hawaii and with the arrival of the Commander of the Pacific Fleet in 1868, the US Navy came to dominate internal affairs as well. Naval officers served as arbitrators in disputes, negotiated trade agreements and naval forces were used as police on land.”The US Navy transported the Hawaiian Royal Family and important Hawaiian officials.
The scene featured here is part of that history, an event which came to be known as the Honolulu Courthouse Riot or Election Riot. In 1873, the Hawaiian ruler King Lunalilo died without naming his successor which by Hawaii Inchess constitution required that the legislature hold an election to choose a new ruler from among the noble class of native Hawaiians. King Kalakaua won, but supporters of his rival, Queen Emma, did not accept the results and rioted outside the courthouse.
Emma was hugely popular among the people, but her pro-British stance was unpopular with the Hawaiian legislature who largely supported American interests. The Hawaiian army had been disbanded and local militias joined the riots each depending on which faction they supported and there was no one to end the conflict.
Local officials requested aid from the United States Navy and Royal Navy commanders at the island. The two American sloops-of-war, USS TUSCARORA and USS PORTSMOUTH were anchored in Honolulu Harbor, on an expedition of negotiation to allow the exportation of sugar to America duty-free, but instead their commanders agreed to intervene in the Inchesmajor civil disturbance.
A force of 150 American marines and sailors under Lieutenant Commander Theodore F. Jewell were put ashore along with another seventy to eighty Britons under Captain Edward Hood Lingard Ray from the sloop HMS TENEDOS. Here we see boats filled with US Navy enlisted men also known as Inchesbluejackets Inches heading ashore to quell the riot. American and Naval flags abound. At first, we thought the flags on the two near ships were British Admiralty but upon further inspection this is flag of the Hawaiian Islands which was adopted in 1845. The peak of Diamondhead dominates the left side of the painting, and the naval ships fill the right in great detail. Two native boats sit in the lower right, their inhabitants silhouetted against the smoke rising from the salute of the nearby American ship.
The Americans headed straight for the courthouse, pushing back the rioters, and placing guards. They would go on to occupy the city armory, treasury, station house, and the jail, filled with angry prisoners who Queen Emma said she would free. British forces attacked up the Nuuanu Valley to Emma’s house where they dispersed a large crowd with force. They then went back to Honolulu to man the palace and barracks. By sundown, some rioters had been captured and the city was mostly quiet with the exception of sporadic musketry and the sounds of breaking glass.
Several people were killed or injured in the conflict, including many foreign citizens though no American naval personnel were hurt seriously and it is not believed any of the Britons were either. Emma claimed no part in riot, but the opinion was that she supported the actions of her followers. The riot gained nothing for the queen and Kalakaua took the oath on February 13, after which his right to the throne was no longer in threat. The marines and sailors ended their occupation on February 20. America’s involvement in the riot also led to the establishment of the first United States Navy coaling and repair station in Pearl Harbor.
The Hawaiian monarchy had one final attempt at maintaining control in the late 1800 Inchess before the last Queen Liliuokalani was deposed by American plantation owners led by Samuel Dole with the help of US Navy forces from the USS Boston. The islands were briefly a republic before the US annexed Hawaii in 1898. Hawaii was made a territory in 1900 though it would not become a state until the mid-20th Inchescentury.
Though this painting is signed, we don’t really have any details Incheson the artist. We’ve found a match for the name and the dates lived in Maine but no indication of a connection. Given the historic nature of the image, that it was painted in the same period in which these events took place plus the obvious skill and knowledge of ships and their crews it’s likely Littlefield was present at the event and this is painted from memory. It’s a great piece for Hawaiian and naval collectors. Inches