The European Squadron, also known as the European Station, was a part of the United States Navy in the late 19th century and the early 1900s. The squadron was originally named the Mediterranean Squadron and renamed following the American Civil War. In 1905, the squadron was absorbed into the North Atlantic Fleet.For a general history of the post Civil War period, see William N. Still Jr., American Sea Power in the Old World: the United States Navy in European and Near Eastern waters, 1865-1917, (Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1980).
Second Anglo-Egyptian War
The Egyptian Expedition in June and July 1882 was a response by the United States to the British and French attack on Alexandria during the Anglo-Egyptian War. To protect American citizens and their property within the city, ships of the European Squadron, under Rear Admiral James Nicholson, were sent to Egypt with orders to observe the conflict ashore and make a landing if necessary. British and French forces heavily damaged the city and started a large fire so a force of marines and sailors were landed and they assisted in fire fighting and guarding the American consulate from insurgents. Casper F. Goodrich, who served as an executive officer on the USS Lancaster, commanded the landing party and would later publish an extensive report on the bombardment.
Early 20th century The European Squadron returned to U.S. waters at the start of the Spanish–American War in April 1898, and did not return to Europe until July 1901, when Admiral Bartlett J. Cromwell was placed in command with the cruiser as flagship. Other ships of the squadron from July 1901 included the cruiser and the gunboat .
Commanders NamePictureRankAssigned(Orders)Assumed(On Station)Relieved(Orders)Relieved(On Station)Flagship(s)RADM Louis M. GoldsboroughFebruary 186518 July 1865186714 July 1867ADM David G. Farragut?14 July 1867?10 November 1868CDRE Alexander M. Pennock?10 November 1868?28 February 1869RADM William Radford?1869?1 March 1870RADM Oliver S. Glisson?August 1870?January 1871RADM Charles S. Boggs?January 1871?1 January 1872FranklinRADM James Alden Jr.?1 January 1872?2 June 1873BrooklynRADM Augustus Case?1873?1875FranklinWabashRADM John L. Worden?1875?5 October 1877FranklinRADM William E. Le Roy?5 October 1877?23 January 1879TrentonCAPT John Lee Davis(pro tem)?23 January 1879?February 1879TrentonRADM John C. Howell1878February 1879?16 September 1881TrentonRADM James W. Nicholson?16 September 1881February 188310 March 1883RADM Charles H. Baldwin?10 March 1883?September 1884LancasterRADM Earl English?September 1884?May/June 1885LancasterRADM Samuel Rhoads Franklin?May/June 188520 July 188724 August 1887RADM James A. Greer?1887?1889? Unknown???1889?1893?RADM Henry ErbenJune 1893?August 1894?RADM William A. KirklandApril 1894November 1895RADM Thomas O. Selfridge Jr.November 1895February 1898RADM John Adams HowellJanuary 1898April 1898?The European Squadron returned to U.S. waters at the start of the Spanish–American War in April 1898, and did not return until July 1901.RADM Bartlett J. Cromwell?July 19019 February 19029 February 1902CAPT Joseph E. Craig(Senior Officer Present)?9 February 1902?April 1902?RADM Arent S. Crowninshield March 1902 30 April 19023 March 190320 March 1903CAPT James Henry Dayton(Senior Officer Present)?20 March 1903?28 April 1903?RADM Charles S. Cotton?28 April 1903?16 February 1904(June–July 1903)CAPT Harry Knox(Senior Officer Present)?16 February 1904?28 March 1904BrooklynRADM Joseph Coghlan???20 April 1904?RADM Theodore Frelinghuysen Jewell?20 April 1904?? In 1905 the European Squadron was absorbed into the North Atlantic Fleet.
References
External links Notes on U.S. Fleet Organisation and Disposition, 1898–1941