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90-661: John Burroughs Hopkins (July 25, 1742 – December 5, 1796) was a captain of the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War . Hopkins was born in Newport, Rhode Island , the son of Continental navy commander-in-chief Esek Hopkins . John Hopkins was one of seven commanders involved in the Gaspée Affair , in which a British ship was destroyed. This was one of the leading causes of

180-704: A delaying action on the Delaware River against the British army pursuing George Washington 's forces. The ebb tide arrived and left the Delaware stranded, leading to her capture. Warren was blockaded in Providence, Rhode Island , shortly after her completion, and did not break out of the blockade until March 8, 1778. After a successful cruise under Captain John Burroughs Hopkins , she

270-403: A fleet commanded by Vice Admiral Charles Henri, comte d'Estaing assisted American forces attempting to recapture Savannah, Georgia . In 1780, a fleet with 6,000 troops commanded by Lieutenant General Jean-Baptiste, comte de Rochambeau landed at Newport, Rhode Island; shortly afterward, the British blockaded the fleet. In early 1781, Washington and de Rochambeau planned an attack against

360-692: A high conception of the excellent good sense and wise judgment of the Governor." Cooke died on November 14, 1782, and was buried in the North Burial Ground in Providence. In 1740 Cooke married Hannah, the daughter of Hezekiah Sabin, with whom he had 12 children. One of his descendants was the Honorable George L. Cooke of Providence. His son Joseph S. Cooke (b. 1746) captained a ship on a number of trading voyages to Africa and

450-612: A move which Captain Nicholas Biddle described: "away we all went helter, skelter, one flying here, another there." On Lake Champlain, Benedict Arnold ordered the construction of 12 war vessels to slow down the British fleet that was invading New York from Canada. The British fleet destroyed Arnold's fleet, but the US fleet managed to slow down the British after a two-day battle, known as the Battle of Valcour Island , and managed to slow

540-548: A navy came from Rhode Island , whose State Assembly passed a resolution on August 26, 1775, instructing its delegates to Congress to introduce legislation calling "for building at the Continental expense a fleet of sufficient force, for the protection of these colonies, and for employing them in such a manner and places as will most effectively annoy our enemies...." The measure in the Continental Congress

630-493: A thorough inventory of ship's stores, provisions and equipage and then the ongoing commander had to sign for it. Pursers were civilian officers in civilian clothes who had learned their job as supercargoes in the colonial merchant marines. There were very few pursers serving in the Continental Navy as it was more profitable for competent persons to take employment with the large number of privateers outfitted during

720-483: A total of four years. He devoted most of his energy to mercantile pursuits and local government in the 1760s, and in 1766 represented his Congregational Church in becoming a trustee of the new college in Rhode Island, later named Brown University . In 1768 he was elected as Deputy Governor of the Rhode Island colony under Josias Lyndon as governor. He stepped down from this position after a year, but in 1775, after

810-649: A trustee he represented the Beneficent Congregational Church , of which he had been a member since 1747. In 1768 Cooke became the deputy governor of the colony under Josias Lyndon , both men leaving their offices after one year. As difficulties with Great Britain worsened, and the Continental Congress formed, Cooke became chairman of the Providence Committee of Inspection. He was responsible for seeing that

900-558: A wartime governor, Cooke retired from office in May 1778, and was replaced by William Greene , the son of former colonial Governor William Greene . In addition to Cooke, his deputy governor, William Bradford , also declined re-election in 1778, and both men were publicly thanked by the General Assembly for "their patriotic zeal, firmness, and intrepidity." Cooke's service and public record, said historian Thomas W. Bicknell , "give

990-661: The Declaration of Independence of the 13 colonies was signed in Philadelphia . This act repealed a previous Act of Allegiance to the Crown, and declared that the King's name and authority in this colony was void. The courts of law would no longer be considered the King's Courts, and all commissions and writs would no longer be in the name of the King, but instead in the name of the governor and company of this colony. The act

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1080-725: The Thirteen Colonies (later the United States ) during the American Revolutionary War . Founded on October 13, 1775, the fleet developed into a substantial force throughout the Revolutionary War, owing partially to the efforts of naval patrons within the Continental Congress. These congressional patrons included the likes of John Adams , who served as the chairman of the Naval Committee until 1776, when Commodore Esek Hopkins received instruction from

1170-904: The USS Alliance was sold in 1785, the naval establishment of the United States ceased to exist without any formal decision. The original three members of the Naval Committee were Silas Deane , John Langdon and Christopher Gadsden . The additional four were Stephen Hopkins , Joseph Hewes , Richard Henry Lee and John Adams . The thirteen original members of the Marine Committee were Josiah Bartlett , N.H.; John Hancock , Mass.; Stephen Hopkins, R.I.; Silas Deane, Conn.; Francis Lewis , N.Y.; Stephen Crane , N.J.; Robert Morris, Pa.; George Read , Del.; Samuel Chase , Md.; Richard Henry Lee, Va.; Joseph Hewes, N.C.; Christopher Gadsden, S.C. and John Houstoun , Ga. Original members of

1260-441: The sloop Katy and commodore of the armed vessels employed by the government. The first formal movement for the creation of a Continental navy came from Rhode Island because its merchants' widespread shipping activities had been severely harassed by British frigates. On August 26, 1775, Rhode Island General Assembly passed a resolution that there be a single Continental fleet funded by the Continental Congress . The resolution

1350-867: The American Revolution. France officially entered the war on June 17, 1778. Still, the ships that the French sent to the Western Hemisphere spent most of the year in the West Indies and only sailed near the Thirteen Colonies during the Caribbean hurricane season from July until November. The first French fleet attempted landings in New York and Rhode Island, but ultimately failed to engage British forces during 1778. In 1779,

1440-604: The Americans assumed defensible positions on each side of the bay. Providence had been given up to military occupation as well, and the college exercises were suspended, with the building being occupied as a barracks, and then later as a military hospital. General Benedict Arnold was sent by Washington to Providence in January 1777 to assist with the defense of Rhode Island, and the Marquis de Lafayette entered service at

1530-594: The Army of Observations, of which Nathanael Greene was made the Brigadier General. Two vessels were to be manned and armed to protect the trade of the colony, and put under the command of Abraham Whipple , leader of the Gaspee raid , with the rank of Commodore. Post offices and post riders were established to promote communication between the colonies, and a proclamation was issued commanding every able man in

1620-451: The Board of Admiralty were Francis Lewis (from 1779) and William Ellery (from 1780), no third commissioner was ever appointed. Congressional members were James Forbes (1779–1780), William Ellery (1779–1780), James Madison (1780–1780), Daniel Huntington (1780–1780), Whitmill Hill (1780–1780), Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer (only congressional member 1781). Alexander McDougall refused

1710-589: The Board of Admiralty. The American commissioners in Paris filled the function of an overseas Navy Board They directed ships operations, commissioned officers, recruited crews, as well as purchasing, storing and distributing supply for the ships operating in European waters. When Benjamin Franklin became United States Minister to France , these tasks fell on him personally. He employed naval agents in both France and

1800-560: The British in the Chesapeake Bay area to coordinate with the arrival of a large fleet under Vice Admiral François, comte de Grasse . Washington and de Rochambeau marched to Virginia after successfully deceiving the British that an attack was planned in New York, and de Grasse began landing forces near Yorktown, Virginia. On September 5, 1781, de Grasse and the British met in the Battle of the Virginia Capes , which ended with

1890-498: The British man of war Iris . Randolph took five prizes in her early cruises. On March 7, 1778, she was escorting a convoy of merchantmen when the British 64-gun ship HMS  Yarmouth bore down on the convoy. Randolph , under the command of Captain Nicholas Biddle came to the defense of the merchantmen and engaged the heavily superior foe. In the ensuing engagement, the two ships were both severely manhandled but in

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1980-510: The British troops arrived. The war took a heavy toll on Cooke, and in 1778 he refused re-election, being replaced by William Greene . Cooke lived for four more years after his retirement, dying in Providence in November 1782. He is buried in the North Burial Ground in Providence. Born in Providence in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations on February 3, 1717, Nicholas Cooke

2070-501: The Caribbean also issued commissions; taking duplications into account more than 2,000 commissions were issued by the various authorities. Lloyd's of London estimated that 2,208 British ships were taken by Yankee privateers, amounting to almost $ 66 million, a significant sum at the time. Most of the eight frigates that went to sea took multiple prizes and had semi-successful cruises before their captures, however, there were exceptions. On September 27, 1777, Delaware participated in

2160-517: The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations officially broke ties with Great Britain, this occurring two months before the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the 13 American colonies. During the nearly three years of Cooke's tenure as governor, he had to constantly deal with issues stemming from the war with Britain. One of the most difficult situations was the British capture and occupation of Newport, which required evacuation before

2250-456: The Congress shall direct. That a Committee of three be appointed to prepare an estimate of the expence, and lay the same before the Congress, and to contract with proper persons to fit out the vessel. Resolved , that another vessel be fitted out for the same purposes, and that the said committee report their opinion of a proper vessel, and also an estimate of the expence. Resolution of

2340-625: The Continental Army. The Continental Congress appointed Silas Deane and John Langdon to draft a plan to seize ships from the convoy in question. On June 12, 1775, the Rhode Island General Assembly , meeting at East Greenwich , passed a resolution creating a navy for the colony of Rhode Island. The same day, Governor Nicholas Cooke signed orders addressed to Captain Abraham Whipple , commander of

2430-587: The Continental Congress that marked the establishment of what is now the United States Navy. The United States Navy decided in 1971 to recognize October 13, 1775 as the date of its official establishment, the passage of the resolution of the Continental Congress at Philadelphia that created the Continental Navy. On this day, Congress authorized the purchase of two vessels to be armed for a cruise against British merchant ships; these ships became Andrew Doria and Cabot . The first ship in commission

2520-526: The Continental Congress to assume command of the force. The initial force consisted of several converted merchantmen as a consequence of the lack of funds available for use by the navy, which was seen as of secondary importance by early American leaders amidst a land war with Britain. The Continental Navy had variable success in its goals of intercepting shipments of British matériel and disrupting British maritime commerce, meeting with success in only limited circumstances and ultimately having little impact on

2610-719: The Continental Congress, Nov. 15, 1775. At the same time the pay table was adopted, Congress resolved how the rank of the Naval officers be to the rank of officers in the Land Forces: commodore as brigadier general, captain of a ship of 40 guns and upwards as colonel, captain of a ship of 20 to 40 guns as lieutenant colonel, captain of a ship of 10 to 20 guns as major, lieutenant in the Navy as captain. Nicholas Cooke Cooke first became politically active in 1752 when elected as an assistant from Providence, which position he held for

2700-541: The Continental Navy to three ships. When Robert Morris became Agent of Marine in 1781 he closed all navy offices except the Eastern Navy Board as they still had USS Alliance and USS Deane to outfit. He appointed Naval Agents in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia with the task of auditing and settling accounts. In June 1783 Joseph Pennell

2790-516: The Continental Navy, only 11 survived the war. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 ended the Revolutionary War and, by 1785, Congress had disbanded the Continental Navy and sold the remaining ships. The frigate Alliance fired the final shots of the American Revolutionary War; it was also the last ship in the Navy. A faction within Congress wanted to keep her, but the new nation did not have the funds to keep her in service, and she

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2880-640: The Continental Navy. Most Continental agents were also in charge of the disposing of prizes . When established, the Navy Boards became purveyors and suppliers of ships stationed in Philadelphia and Boston, but the Continental agents continued in these roles in the other ports. The Boards gave orders to the Agents but they often bypassed the Boards and communicated directly with the Marine Committee and later

2970-404: The French fleet in control of Chesapeake Bay. Protected from the sea by the French fleet, American and French forces surrounded, besieged, and forced the surrender of the British forces under Lord Cornwallis , effectively winning the war and leading to peace two years later. The Second Continental Congress created a Naval Committee of three members on Oct. 13, 1775. At the end of the month it

3060-698: The Navy Board of the Middle Department were John Nixon (resigned 1778), John Wharton (resigned 1778), and Francis Hopkinson (resigned 1778). New members were William Smith (1778–1778), James Searle (1778–1778), John Wharton (reappointed 1778–1781), James Read (1778 only member late in 1781), William Winder (1778–1781). Members of the Navy Board of the Eastern Department were James Warren (until 1782), William Vernon (until 1781) and John Deshon (until 1781). Commissioners of

3150-502: The Netherlands. After 1780, naval administration deteriorated; Agents were dismissed for not submitting accounts, neglecting their assignments and sometimes for outright corruption. Members of the Board of Admiralty, the Navy Boards and Agents surrendered their commissions disgusted with the existing administrative and financial chaos. The accounting system collapsed in 1781. Lack of funds for new ships and heavy ship's losses reduced

3240-568: The Revolutionary War. John B. Hopkins was made one of five captains under his father according to in, December 1775, the United States Congress Marine Committee's meeting to discuss ranking the officers. He served in distinction during the war, the Providence Gazette, on March 12, 1796, called him an "eminent nautical commander". Continental Navy The Continental Navy was the navy of

3330-698: The Revolutionary War. The Rhode Island resolution was reconsidered by the Continental Congress and was passed on December 13, 1775, authorizing the building of thirteen frigates within the next three months: five ships of 32 guns, five with 28 guns, and three with 24 guns. When it came to selecting commanders for ships, Congress tended to be split evenly between merit and patronage. Among those who were selected for political reasons were Esek Hopkins , Dudley Saltonstall , and Esek Hopkins' son John Burroughs Hopkins . However, Abraham Whipple , Nicholas Biddle , and John Paul Jones managed to be appointed with backgrounds in marine warfare. On December 22, 1775, Esek Hopkins

3420-454: The age of 35, when he was elected as an Assistant from Providence in 1752, being elected again to this position three more times within seven years. In the mid-1750s, the Boston portraitist, John Greenwood followed a group of sea captains and merchants to Surinam on the northeast coast of South America. The trading usually took time, so the men often waited in pubs. Being commissioned by

3510-555: The blockade of Chesapeake Bay . On March 31, 1778, in another attempt, she ran aground near Hampton Roads , where her captain went ashore. Shortly after, HMS  Emerald and Conqueror appeared on the scene to accept her surrender. Guarding American commerce and raiding British commerce and supply were the principal duties of the Continental Navy. Privateers had some success, with 1,697 letters of marque being issued by Congress. Individual states, American agents in Europe and in

3600-405: The building of warships in their respective ports and purchased cannons, anchors and sails as well provisions and all other items needed on a ship of war. Doing this they relied on the tradesmen and merchants that had sustained the colonial merchant marines. Established ship chandlers , provision merchants , ship's agents and other members of the business community put their experience to use by

3690-538: The colony in its own behalf, but also asked for continental aid. In May 1776 Cooke won the election as governor of the colony, and at the same time the most noteworthy act of his tenure occurred. On 4 May the Assembly met in Providence and passed "the last important act in the colonial history of Rhode Island," the Declaration of Independence of the Rhode Island colony from Great Britain a full two months before

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3780-493: The colony to completely equip himself with arms and ammunition. On September 15, 1775, the General Assembly was persuaded to build and equip an American fleet as soon as possible. This forerunner of the American Navy was placed under the command of Admiral Esek Hopkins , brother of Governor Stephen Hopkins . The exposed town of Newport was depopulated, with enemy ships sailing freely in the surrounding waters. An act

3870-456: The colony's two delegates to the Continental Congress . In late July 1776 the legal title of the government was changed by the General Assembly to "The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations." The recording of the Assembly minutes closed with the words "God save the United States." The August session of the Assembly was the last to be held in Newport for the next four years, with

3960-662: The course of the action, the magazine of the Randolph exploded causing the destruction of the entire vessel and all but four of her crew. The falling debris from the explosion severely damaged the Yarmouth enough that she could no longer pursue the American ships. Raleigh , under the command of Captain John Barry , captured three prizes before being run aground in action on September 27, 1778. Her crew scuttled her, but she

4050-497: The expedition to retain control of the French ships, thereby often leaving and rejoining the effort when he felt that it was fortuitous. On September 23, 1779, Jones' squadron was off Flamborough Head when the British man-of-war HMS  Serapis and HM hired armed ship Countess of Scarborough bore down on the Franco-American force. The lone Continental frigate Bonhomme Richard engaged Serapis . The rigging of

4140-468: The fall of Charleston, South Carolina on May 12, 1780. The final frigate to meet her end of Continental service was Trumbull . Trumbull , which had not gone to sea until September 1779 under James Nicholson , had gained acclaim in bloody action against the Letter of Marque Watt . On August 28, 1781, she met HMS Iris and General Monk and engaged. In the action, Trumbull was forced to surrender to

4230-751: The former American naval vessels (the General Monk was the captured Rhode Island privateer General Washington , itself recaptured in April 1782 and placed in service with the Continental Navy). Before the Franco-American Alliance , the royalist French government attempted to maintain a state of respectful neutrality during the Revolutionary War. That being said, the nation maintained neutrality at face value, often openly harboring Continental vessels and supplying their needs. With

4320-406: The interior, and livestock was driven off from the larger islands. Rhode Island had about 700 troops on the island when the enemy landed at Middletown . After a night of pillaging, the British troops marched into Newport on December 8 under the command of General Clinton . The Rhode Island troops left the island, moving to Tiverton and Bristol . Assistance poured in from neighboring states, and

4410-422: The lightly guarded western regions of Britain. Unfortunately for the ambitious Jones, the French pulled out of the agreement pertaining to an invasion force, but the French did manage to uphold the plan regarding his command of the naval squadron. Sailing in a clockwise fashion around Ireland and down the east coast of Britain, the squadron captured a number of merchantmen. French commander Landais decided early on in

4500-484: The merchants to create a satirical painting, Greenwood concocted a 22-figure tavern scene, showing himself among the affluent traders, all subject to the "intoxicating effects of alcohol and economic ambition." Different accounts agree that Cooke is the man wearing a hat, seated at the back of the table, facing right and smoking a pipe. Cooke became a trustee of Rhode Island's new college, later named Brown University , in 1766 and served in that role until his death. As

4590-491: The oath of office during their June meeting. Wanton refused to approve the creation of an army of 1500 men, would not sign commissions for officers, neglected to issue a proclamation for the fast-day appointed by the Assembly, and did not take an oath of office. Wanton addressed the four points in a letter to the Assembly, but to no effect. Without an impeachment trial, Wanton was suspended from his office, with Cooke becoming acting governor. The suspension act against Wanton

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4680-601: The offer of becoming Secretary of Marine as the Congress did not allow him to retain his rank in the army. Robert Morris was Agent of Marine from 1781 to 1784. When the Marine Committee was created in 1775 it appointed Continental agents in Portsmouth, New Hampshire , Boston , Providence, Rhode Island , New London, Connecticut , New York City , Philadelphia , Baltimore , Williamsburg, Virginia , Edenton , New Bern and Wilmington , North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia . They administered

4770-422: The office of Secretary of Marine replacing the Board of Admiralty. No one was found willing and able to accept that office, so Congress instead created the officer of Agent of Marine Aug. 19, 1781 and on Sept. 7. 1781 made Robert Morris holder of that office while remaining Superintendent of Finance. When Morris resigned as superintendent of finance 1784, Congress did not appoint a successor as Marine Agent and when

4860-445: The office of deputy governor, and Joseph Wanton was elected for the seventh time as governor. Wanton, however, had maintained a very conservative position regarding Great Britain, and did not want to break the ties binding the mother country to the colonies. Meanwhile, the General Assembly took on a strong stance toward independence, and detailed four points against Wanton, after which the magistrates were forbidden to administer to him

4950-418: The officers to dress in what was available they would not always be dressed according to instructions. Besides, many naval officers did not really like the uniforms prescribed and a group of them met in Boston in 1777 and agreed on a new uniform. The dress selected looked very much like a Royal Navy uniform. The agreement contained the following particulars: Pay table in dollars per calendar month , adopted by

5040-767: The operation stationed at Warwick on the James River , the most important of the works, which produced much sail material from flax grown in his home county of Augusta , as there was no money available to buy linen cloth for sails. By December 13, 1775, Congress had authorized the construction of 13 new frigates , rather than refitting merchantmen to increase the fleet. Five ships ( Hancock , Raleigh , Randolph , Warren , and Washington ) were to be rated 32 guns, five ( Effingham , Montgomery , Providence , Trumbull , and Virginia ) 28 guns, and three ( Boston , Congress , and Delaware ) 24 guns. Only eight frigates made it to sea and their effectiveness

5130-455: The opportunity for higher command. The French loaned Jones the merchantman Duc de Duras , which Jones refitted and renamed Bonhomme Richard as a more powerful replacement for the Ranger . In August 1779, Jones was given command of a squadron of vessels of both American and French ownership. The goal was not only to harass British commerce but also to prospectively land 1,500 French regulars in

5220-490: The outcome of the war. The fleet did, however, serve to highlight Continental resolve and bolster American morale, for example launching Captain John Barry into the limelight. Additionally, it provided needed experience for the first generation of American officers, who went on to command the early United States Navy . With the Continental Army's victory in the Revolutionary War, the navy was dissolved, with its few remaining ships and assets sold off. The final vessel, Alliance ,

5310-478: The overwhelming amount of damage that she had sustained. The action was an embarrassing defeat for the Royal Navy. The French also loaned the Continental Navy the use of the corvette Ariel . The one ship of the line built for service in the Continental Navy was the 74-gun America , but it was offered as a gift to France on September 3, 1782, in compensation for the loss of Le Magnifique in service to

5400-466: The pending occupation of Aquidneck Island (Rhode Island) by British Forces. In December 1776 seven ships and four frigates under the command of Sir Peter Parker appeared off Block Island and went up the sound to join a fleet of 70 transports with about 6000 troops, destined for Newport. Summons went out from the colony to as far as New Hampshire for aid. Women and children in seaboard towns had already been advised to move, with their furniture, to

5490-433: The plan, and thanked the State for its exertions. In May 1777 the same State officers were elected except William Channing replaced Henry Marchant as Attorney General , and Marchant then became Rhode Island's third delegate to the Congress along with Hopkins and Ellery. For the next year Cooke dealt with the issues, often dire, brought about by the war. Weary of his responsibilities after serving for nearly three years as

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5580-427: The port of Beverly, Massachusetts . Resolved , That a swift sailing vessel, to carry ten carriage guns, and a proportionable number of swivels, with eighty men, be fitted, with all possible despatch, for a cruise of three months, and that the commander be instructed to cruize eastward, for intercepting such transports as may be laden with warlike stores and other supplies for our enemies, and for such other purposes as

5670-426: The presence of American diplomats Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane, the Continental Navy gained a permanent link to French affairs. Through Franklin and like-minded agents, Continental officers were afforded the ability to receive commissions and to survey and purchase prospective ships for military use. Early in the conflict, Captains Lambert Wickes and Gustavus Conyngham operated out of various French ports for

5760-411: The progression of the British Army. As the war progressed, states began directing more resources toward naval pursuits. During the inaugural session of the Virginia General Assembly , the senate began acquiring lands for naval manufacturing. Charles O. Paullin states that "no other state owned as much land, properties, and manufactories devoted to naval purposes as Virginia. Sampson Mathews oversaw

5850-437: The purpose of commerce raiding. The French did attempt to enforce their neutrality by seizing Dolphin and Surprise of the Continental Navy. However, with the commencement of the official alliance in 1778, ports were officially open to Continental ships. The most prominent Continental officer to operate out of France was Captain John Paul Jones. Jones had been preying upon British commerce aboard Ranger but only now saw

5940-418: The same time, greatly facilitating the American cause. Cooke, desperate for additional troops, ordered a new brigade be raised in Rhode Island. Washington disapproved of the move, fearing it would interfere with the enlistment of the two battalions already assigned to the state. The general wrote two earnest letters on the subject, but when Cooke presented the situation to him, Washington ultimately approved of

6030-426: The strength, supply situation and the state of each ship of war, and forwarding them to Congress. It was his duty to issue orders and instructions necessary for the good of the service and to develop a good leadership culture in the Navy. The captain of each ship was responsible for its administration; muster rolls and accounts of provisions and other stores were kept under his responsibility. Change of command required

6120-404: The town faithfully adhered to the declarations of the Congress relating to trade with Great Britain. Some of the provisions included discontinuing the slave trade; refusing to purchase tea; stopping all exports to and imports from Britain; selling goods at reasonable prices, and discouraging horse racing, gaming, expensive shows, and expensive funerals. In May 1775, Cooke was once again elected to

6210-494: The two ships became entangled during the combat, and several guns of Jones' ship had been taken out of action. The captain of Serapis asked Jones if he had struck his colors , to which Jones has been quoted as replying, "I have not yet begun to fight!" Upon raking the Serapis , the crew of the Bonhomme Richard led by Jones boarded the British ship and captured her. Likewise, the French frigate Pallas captured Countess of Scarborough . Two days later, Bonhomme Richard sank from

6300-405: The use of the Continental Army . However, success was diluted with the appearance of disease spreading from ship to ship. On April 6, 1776, the squadron, with the addition of Fly (8), unsuccessfully encountered the 20-gun HMS  Glasgow in the first major sea battle of the Continental Navy. Hopkins failed to give any substantive orders other than to recall the fleet from the engagement,

6390-437: The verdicts of naval courts-martial , and build and purchase naval vessels. In September 1776 Congress created the Navy Board of the Middle Department with three members, not members of Congress, and seat in Philadelphia. In April 1777, the Navy Board of the Eastern Department was created for New England with seat in Boston. These boards were subordinate agencies under the Marine Committee and its successors. The Board of Admiralty

6480-404: The war with Great Britain had begun, he was once again elected as deputy governor, this time under Governor Joseph Wanton . Maintaining Loyalist sympathies, Wanton was officially deposed as governor in November 1775, and Cooke was then named to succeed him. When Cooke was re-elected to the governorship in May 1776, the most important act of his tenure took place: by decree of the General Assembly,

6570-440: The war. The administrative functions aboard a Continental man of war was instead fulfilled by petty officers : captain's clerks and stewards . Ship's provisions were drawn from Continental Agents or Navy Boards, and transfers took place between ships and even with Continental Army units as necessity required. Of the approximately 65 vessels (new, converted, chartered, loaned, and captured) that served at one time or another with

6660-482: Was USS  Alfred which was purchased on November 4 and commissioned on December 3 by Captain Dudley Saltonstall . On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines to be raised for service with the fleet. John Adams drafted its first governing regulations, which were adopted by Congress on November 28, 1775, and remained in effect throughout

6750-413: Was also passed to encourage the manufacture of saltpeter and gunpowder , required of muskets and artillery pieces. In January a memorial was adopted and forwarded to Congress by Cooke, detailing the exposed condition of the colony with its 130 miles of coastline, two navigable rivers and a hostile fleet in its waters constantly plundering the islands and shores. Cooke enumerated the efforts made by

6840-842: Was appointed Commissioner for Settling the Accounts of the Marine Department with branch offices at Boston, New York City and Philadelphia. Morris resigned as Marine Agent in 1784 and the Commissioner was transferred to the Department of the Treasury in 1785. When late in 1775, Esek Hopkins was commissioned Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet of the United Colonies he was put in charge of receiving monthly reports of

6930-566: Was appointed the naval commander-in-chief , and officers of the navy were commissioned. Saltonstall, Biddle, Hopkins, and Whipple were commissioned as captains of the Alfred , Andrew Doria , Cabot , and Columbus , respectively. Hopkins led the first major naval action of the Continental Navy in early March 1776 with this small fleet, complemented by Providence (12), Wasp (8), and Hornet (10). The battle occurred at Nassau, Bahamas where stores of much-needed gunpowder were seized for

7020-472: Was assigned to the ill-fated Penobscot Expedition under Captain Dudley Saltonstall , where she was trapped by the British and burned on August 15, 1779, to prevent her capture. Hancock , captained by John Manley , managed to capture two merchantmen as well as the Royal Navy vessel HMS  Fox . Later on July 8, 1777, however, the Hancock was captured by HMS Rainbow of a pursuing squadron, and became

7110-472: Was auctioned off for $ 26,000. Factors leading to the dissolution of the Navy included a general lack of money, the loose confederation of the states, a change of goals from war to peace, and more domestic and fewer foreign interests. The Marine Committee issued a uniform instruction on Sept. 5, 1776, with the following specifications: No instructions were issued for the dress of petty officers and seamen. The paucity of fabric at this time made it necessary for

7200-412: Was auctioned off in 1785 to a private bidder. The original intent was to intercept the supply of arms and provisions to British soldiers, who had placed Boston under martial law . George Washington had already informed Congress that he had assumed command of several ships for this purpose, and individual governments of various colonies had outfitted their own warships. The first formal movement for

7290-423: Was continued during each Assembly session until November, and having failed to give satisfaction to the Assembly, and continuing to manifest Tory sympathies, he was formally deposed on November 7, 1775. Cooke became the governor, with William Bradford of Bristol becoming deputy governor, and served out the remainder of Wanton's term before being elected for two additional one-year terms. The town of Newport

7380-425: Was created Oct. 28, 1779 and contained two members of Congress and three other commissioners. Its mission was naval planning, the direction of ships and fleets, superintending the marine department, administering the supply of the navy and the settling of accounts. Dec. 8, Congress decided that the Board would take over all matters heretofore taken care of by the Marine Committee. Feb. 7, 1781, Congress decided to create

7470-526: Was drawn by Colonel Jonathan Arnold, a descendant of Governor Benedict Arnold , and passed the Upper House unanimously, with only six dissenting votes in the Lower House. The phrase "God save the King" was now officially replaced with the phrase "God save the United Colonies." The first act following this local act of independence was to provide instruction to Stephen Hopkins and William Ellery ,

7560-488: Was expanded to seven members. By the end of January 1776 three members were not active and the remaining four were appointed members of the Marine Committee created already on Dec. 13, 1775, when Congress decided to build 13 warships. This committee had thirteen members, one from each of the United Colonies , and was authorized to direct the fleet and ships movements by order to naval officers, appoint officers, review

7650-483: Was highly exposed, being on an island in the Narragansett Bay , and one of the first acts of the Assembly under Cooke involved the removal of the colony's treasures, records and offices from there to Providence. Acts were also passed for raising and equipping troops; defining the pay of officers and men; securing arms, tents and provisions for an army; choosing a Committee of Safety; and choosing officers of

7740-497: Was introduced in the Continental Congress on October 3, 1775, but was tabled. In the meantime, George Washington had begun to acquire ships, starting with the schooner Hannah which was chartered by Washington from merchant and Continental Army Lt. Colonel John Glover of Marblehead , Massachusetts. Hannah was commissioned and launched on September 5, 1775, under the command of Captain Nicholson Broughton from

7830-520: Was limited; they were completely outmatched by the Royal Navy, and nearly all were captured or sunk by 1781. Washington , Effingham , Congress , and Montgomery were scuttled or burned in October and November 1777 before going to sea to prevent their capture by the British. USS  Virginia , commanded by Captain James Nicholson , made a number of unsuccessful attempts to break through

7920-513: Was met with much derision, especially on the part of Maryland delegate Samuel Chase who exclaimed it to be "the maddest idea in the world." John Adams later recalled, "The opposition... was very loud and vehement. It was... represented as the most wild, visionary, mad project that had ever been imagined. It was an infant taking a mad bull by his horns." During this time, however, the issue arose of Quebec -bound British supply ships carrying desperately needed provisions that could otherwise benefit

8010-467: Was raised by the British who refloated her for further use in the name of the Crown. Boston , under the command of Captains Hector McNeill and Samuel Tucker , had captured 17 prizes in earlier cruises and had carried John Adams to France in February and March 1778. She was captured (along with the frigate Providence which had taken 14 prizes in her own service under Captain Abraham Whipple ) in

8100-405: Was the son of Daniel Cooke and Mary Power. Early in his life he followed the sea, and eventually became the master of ships, which led to his later vocation as a merchant. He also operated a distillery and a rope making business. After acquiring a fortune, he invested his assets in land in the colonies of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Cooke first became politically active at

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