The Long-Awaited Apology: Remembering the 1882 Navy Bombing of Angoon

Photo by Gregoire Jeanneau on Unsplash

On October 26, 1882, tragedy struck the Tlingit village of Angoon on Alaska’s Southeast panhandle. Following a series of misunderstandings and escalations, the U.S. Navy bombarded the village, destroying homes, food stores, and essential canoes. This assault left the villagers destitute, homeless, and enduring a devastating loss that has impacted generations. On Saturday, October 26, 2024, more than 140 years later, Rear Admiral Mark Sucato, commander of the Navy’s Northwest region, formally issued an apology on behalf of the U.S. Navy, acknowledging the profound suffering inflicted upon the Tlingit people.

Background of the Incident

The conflict began with a tragic accident. A Tlingit shaman, Tith Klane, was killed on a whaling ship owned by the North West Trading Company after a harpoon gun exploded. According to Tlingit customs, when a death occurred, compensation—in this case, 200 blankets—was typically offered to the family and community of the deceased. However, the North West Trading Company refused, which deepened the rift between the company and the local Tlingit tribe.

In response, some Tlingit members gathered onshore to mourn, painting their faces in coal tar and tallow. Misinterpreting these mourning customs as signs of an insurrection, the company superintendent called on Naval Commander E.C. Merriman, alleging that the Tlingit were threatening an uprising. Despite claims that no hostages were taken and the tribe had remained respectful, Commander Merriman saw the situation as an act of rebellion and ordered the bombing of Angoon.

The attack left the Tlingit homeless on the shore, with their food supplies destroyed. Some elders, recognizing the strain on resources, walked into the forest, choosing to sacrifice themselves so younger members might live. However, tragically, some children also perished during and after the assault.

The Impact and Legacy

This incident became one of many dark chapters in the early history of American-Alaska relations. Conflicts between the U.S. military and Alaska Natives were not uncommon, especially following the U.S. purchase of Alaska in 1867. The destruction of Angoon's sister village, Kake, just three years earlier underscored the tensions of the time and also left the people of Kake destitute.

In 1973, the Tlingit of Angoon received $90,000 from the Department of the Interior as partial restitution. However, despite repeated requests, they waited decades for an apology.

The Navy’s Apology and Its Significance

The Navy’s apology was finally delivered this year on October 26th in a ceremony acknowledging the Navy’s role in the tragedy. Rear Admiral Sucato expressed, “The Navy recognizes the pain and suffering inflicted upon the Tlingit people, and we acknowledge these wrongful actions resulted in the loss of life, the loss of resources, the loss of culture, and created and inflicted intergenerational trauma on the clans.”

For Angoon, the apology is a long-overdue recognition of the intergenerational suffering caused by the attack.

Angoon Today

Today, Angoon remains a small, tight-knit community of about 420 people. Located in a picturesque area accessible by ferry or floatplane, the village is known for its breathtaking views, abundant wildlife—including bald eagles, bears, and humpback whales—and its rich salmon and halibut fishing grounds. Angoon’s past, however, is never far from mind, as residents honor their ancestors and ensure that the story of 1882 is not forgotten.

The Tlingit people of Angoon continue to carry forward their cultural traditions and stories, preserving their ancestors' memory and their community's resilience. Though it cannot erase the pain of the past, the Navy’s apology is a significant step toward healing.

The acknowledgment from the U.S. Navy serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting and understanding Indigenous customs and autonomy at every level of our government and our interpersonal interactions. And I hope it signals continued, concerted actions to improve infrastructure on tribal lands, address water rights, support language revitalization, offer mental health support, and recognize tribal sovereignty.

You may reprint this article with proper credit: Written by Sue O’Halloran at www.SusanOHalloran.com