Fort Myer in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Lancaster Monument
Original marker:
Lancaster, Flag Officer J. B. Montgomery, on her first cruise in these seas, erect this monument in memory of shipmates who died and are buried here.
Bronze marker added after 1915:
This monument was erected on Flamenco Island, Panama Bay, by the officers and crew of the U.S.S. Lancaster to perpetuate the memory of nine shipmates who died during the years 1860 and 1861.
In 1911, the monument was transferred to Ancon Cemetery, Isthmian Canal Zone and in 1915 it was further transferred to Arlington National Cemetery.
Both of these transfers having been made necessary by the military development of the Flamenco and Ancon sites.
When removed from Flamenco Island, fifty years after its erection, no vestige of bodies was found.
Around the base of the statue are engraved the names of the lost Lancaster crewmen:
John McCarty - Ireland, died January 30, 1860, aged 25 years
Andrew Jackson - New York, died August 14, 1860, aged 27 years
Patrick Barry - Ireland, died August 10, 1860, aged 32 years
Henry C. Cummings - Pennsylvania, (date died, if present, is buried)
James McBride - Ireland, died August 12, 1861, aged 28 years
Stephen Mullins - Ireland, died August 18, 1861, aged 21 years
Francis McCabe - New York, died August 18, 1861, aged 27 years
Alonzo Wordon, New York, died August 22, 1861, aged 28 years
Lieut. Joseph Whipple Harris, born in New Hampshire, died August 24, 1861, aged 24 years
Erected 1861 by The Officers and Crew of the U.S.S. Lancaster.
Topics and series. This monument and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the National Cemeteries series list.
Location. 38° 52.407′ N, 77° 4.483′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Fort Myer. Memorial is at the intersection of Capron Drive and McPherson Drive, on the right when traveling west on Capron Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Myer VA 22211, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Army, Navy, and Air Force Nurses (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Spanish-American War Nurses Memorial (about 600 feet away); Battle of the Bulge Monument (about 600 feet away); "The Borinqueneers" (about 600 feet away); African American Veterans of the Korean War (about 600 feet away); Task Force Smith (about 600 feet away); U.S. Fourth Infantry Division (about 600 feet away); Vietnam War Helicopter Pilots and Crewmembers Memorial (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2016, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 420 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on December 1, 2016, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.