Q&A · 1:29:54-1:30:22

Did overseas sloops carry Royal Marines?

Sloops did not normally carry a fixed Marine detachment, though flag duties or distant stations could bring a small contingent aboard.

Naval Diplomacy Naval Landing Parties Royal Marines Sloops

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Question

How many Marines did sloops normally carry?

Short answer

Usually none as a fixed complement; some distant or flag assignments carried a small detachment, while sailors commonly formed landing parties.

Notes

A commander's yacht might embark Marines because an admiral wanted them available, and distant-station requirements could also justify a detachment. This was not the standard arrangement. More often, sailors formed the ship's armed landing party when personnel were needed ashore.