Birth of a Navy Bill Federer recounts circumstances leading to America's naval strength

wnd.com ^ | 8/1/2019 | Bill Federer

[rktman]

In June of 1775, citizens acting as merchant mariners captured the British schooner HMS Margaretta around Machias, Massachusetts (present-day Maine).

That same month, General George Washington, with the help of merchant ship owner Colonel John Glover of Marblehead, Massachusetts, chartered and outfitted several ships to interrupt the British supplies.

The marker at the base of John Glover’s statue in Boston states: “John Glover of Marblehead – A Soldier of the Revolution. He commanded a regiment of one thousand men raised in that town known as the marine regiment, and enlisted to serve throughout the war. He joined the camp at Cambridge, June 22, 1775, and rendered distinguished service in transporting the army.”

The first ships outfitted by Glover were named Hannah, Franklin, Warren, Hancock and Lee. They had crews of experienced fisherman who defended American ports and raided British ships carrying ammunition and supplies. Fifty-five British ships were captured by this original American flotilla.

One of these was when the Lee captured the British brig HMS Nancy on Nov. 29, 1775, with its cargo of 2,000 Brown Bess muskets, 100,000 flints, 30,000 of artillery ammunition, 30 tons of musket ammunition and a 13-inch brass mortar. This was a tremendous benefit to the new Continental Army.

After the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, Aug. 27, 1776, John Glover and his Marblehead fisherman saved the day by evacuating Washington and the entire Continental Army, under cover of fog, in their miraculous escape across the East River to Manhattan Island.

[rktman]

"...captured the British brig HMS Nancy..." Pelosi must be so proud to know that a british ship was named for her. Anyway, thanks for the info Mr. Federer. Interesting.

[Tallguy]

“One of these was when the Lee captured the British brig HMS Nancy on Nov. 29, 1775, with its cargo of 2,000 Brown Bess muskets, 100,000 flints, 30,000 of artillery ammunition, 30 tons of musket ammunition and a 13-inch brass mortar. This was a tremendous benefit to the new Continental Army.”

I bet that was some commando raid. Cold steel, no fire-fighting permitted or that brig would have gone up like a volcano.

[rktman]

And it’s pretty dang sad what the NE corner of the US has devolved to since then. Heroic acts for this result. SMDH. And most of my kin were in the Hudson River Valley area of NY since the early 1600’s. Grave spinning is in effect.

[Tallguy]

“And it’s pretty dang sad what the NE corner of the US has devolved to since then.”

There were some pretty rough people up in New England in those days.