Bombardment of Greytown facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bombardment of Greytown
USS Cyane's bombardment of Greytown
Date 13 July 1854 Location Greytown, Mosquitia Result American victory Greytown occupied and destroyed Continued tax-free route to California
Belligerents
United States	•  United Kingdom • Kingdom of Mosquitia
Commanders and leaders
George N. Hollins	W.D. Jolley
Strength
200 marines and sailors 1 sloop-of-war	: 1 schooner : none
Casualties and losses
None	None

The Bombardment of Greytown was an attack by the United States Navy on the town of Greytown in Mosquitia. This area was under the protection of the British. On July 13, 1854, the American warship USS Cyane, led by Captain George N. Hollins, attacked the town. Greytown was completely destroyed during this event.

Why Did the Attack Happen?

What Led to the Bombardment?

The attack on Greytown happened on July 13, 1854. It was mainly because the British government, through its protected area, tried to charge taxes on ships. These ships were using the port to access a travel route to California, known as Commodore Vanderbilt's Nicaragua Route.

There were other reasons too. An American company's main office at Punta Arenas was destroyed. This area was claimed by the Miskito Kingdom. Also, the American representative to Central America, Solon Borland, was attacked and briefly held against his will at the US consulate. Borland had been accused of preventing the arrest of a US citizen who was involved in a serious incident with a local resident.

The US Attack

How the USS Cyane Acted

The US Department of State sent the USS Cyane to demand action from Greytown. Captain Hollins' orders were not very clear. There were no local officials in Greytown to meet the US demands. All members of the Greytown Council had resigned after the incident involving Borland.

Only the British consul protested. On the morning of July 12, Captain Hollins gave the town 12 hours to agree to the US demands. If they did not, his ship would shell the town. The bombardment started the next morning at 9:30 AM.

British Response During the Attack

A British schooner, HMS Bermuda, was in the harbor. It had three guns and was commanded by Lieutenant W. D. Jolley. He only made a weak protest, which Hollins ignored. The USS Cyane was much stronger, with 18 large 32-pounder guns and 4 24-pounder guns. Jolley explained his lack of action by saying his force was "totally inadequate" against the Cyane.

The town was badly damaged by the Cyane's cannon fire. However, the biggest fires were started by U.S. Marines who landed at the port. Even though there was widespread destruction, no one was killed.

What Happened After?

The Aftermath and Reactions

Britain was busy with the Crimean War at the time. Also, British merchants strongly opposed a war with the United States. These reasons stopped Britain from taking further diplomatic or military action.

Many countries were upset about the bombing of Greytown. However, the United States refused to apologize for any damage or loss. President Franklin Pierce finally gave an official statement six months later. He said that while it would have been better if the Cyane's mission could have been completed without force, the "arrogant stubbornness" of the people in Greytown made it impossible. He felt the US had to destroy their settlement or let them continue their "insolence and plunder."