Massachusetts State Navy
Encyclopedia
The Massachusetts State Navy (at first called the Massachusetts Colonial Navy), a naval militia
active during the American Revolutionary War
was founded December 29, 1775, to defend the interests of Massachusetts
from British forces.
The flotilla utilized 25 vessels over the course of the war, acting in various roles such as prison ships, dispatch vessels, and combat cruisers. Its most infamous engagement was the 1779 Penobscot Expedition
, in which not only all of its vessels were destroyed, but also those of privateer
s hired to assist in the expedition.
with the Battles of Lexington and Concord
in April 1775, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress
, which effectively controlled the Province of Massachusetts Bay
, began discussing the need for naval defenses against raids and punitive actions by the British
Royal Navy
against coastal communities in the province. A committee set up for the purpose on June 7 submitted a report on June 12 recommending the outfitting of at least six vessels, mounting up to fourteen guns, that would be managed by the province's Committee of Safety
. Further discussion was apparently delayed by the Battle of Bunker Hill
on June 17, and was not taken up again until August. In the interim, the Provincial Congress was replaced by the Massachusetts Great and General Court
as the province's legislative body, with a council acting as the executive. It received a petition in August from the town of Machias in the District of Maine
(now the state of Maine
) for protection and relief following the June Battle of Machias
, in which a British sloop-of-war was seized, and the capture in July of two more British ships. The legislature responded by officially adopting Machias Liberty and Diligence, appointing Jeremiah O'Brien
their commander, with authorization to hire up to thirty seamen. These two ships served the state until October 1776.
On November 1, the Massachusetts legislature enacted a law authorizing the issuance of letters of marque, as well as the creation of admiralty court
s for judging naval disputes and the disposition of captured prize
ships and cargo. On February 7, 1776, it enacted a law authorizing the construction of ten sloops, to carry fourteen to sixteen guns each, and approved £10,000 for their construction.
Over the course of the war, several additional ships were either purchased or constructed by the state. In 1777, the brigantine Hazard was built, and in 1778 a plan to construct two larger ships was entertained and eventually abandoned due to the cost. The brigantine Active, a prize taken by Hazard, was purchased in 1779. In April 1778, construction was authorized on the largest ship in the state navy. The Protector, a 28-gun frigate
and a crew complement of 200, was launched in the fall of 1779. Unfortunately, due to the disaster of the Penobscot Expedition
, it was then the only ship in the state navy.
. The governor
was responsible for issuing commissions and orders, and the Agent of the Commonwealth was responsible for outfitting the state's ships, and the Board of War ceased to exist.
On 25 November 1776, , a 14-gun brig with a crew of 70 men under the command of Lieutenant George (or James) Dawson, captured Independence, Captain Simeon Sampson, after a hard fight during which Dawson out sailed Sampson. As Independence had a larger crew and out-gunned Hope she should have prevailed, but superior sailing, tactics, and a better crew delivered the victory to Hope. Hope escorted Independence to Fort Cumberland
where 14 of her guns were transferred to the fort's defenses.
Still, most of the Massachusetts navy's engagements were minor, involving only a small number of ships, and little or no combat. The most notable exception was the Penobscot Expedition
, organized by the state in response to a British expedition that established a fortified base on the eastern shore of Penobscot Bay
. The naval component of the state's response included three ships of the state navy, one from the New Hampshire State Navy
, three Continental Navy vessels, and numerous private vessels, including transports for the 1,000 militia that were sent to dislodge the British. The operation was a fiasco. The Continental Navy
's Commodore Dudley Saltonstall
, who commanded the fleet, disagreed with Solomon Lovell
, the militia commander, over the overall command of the expedition. When a British fleet arrived, Saltonstall's fleet disintegrated. Ships surrendered, grounded and burned, or were abandoned after fleeing up the Penobscot River
. The expedition has been called the worst United States naval defeat prior to the Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor
in World War II
. Inquiries into the matter faulted Saltonstall for his actions; he was dismissed from the navy. In late 1782 Captain George Little
sailed Winthrop to the British site, and captured three ships, including a 16-gun privateer that was within range of the guns of Fort George
.
The navy continued in operations until June 4, 1783, when the Winthrop, the last ship owned by the state, was sold.
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
active during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
was founded December 29, 1775, to defend the interests of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
from British forces.
The flotilla utilized 25 vessels over the course of the war, acting in various roles such as prison ships, dispatch vessels, and combat cruisers. Its most infamous engagement was the 1779 Penobscot Expedition
Penobscot Expedition
The Penobscot Expedition was the largest American naval expedition of the American Revolutionary War and the United States' worst naval defeat until Pearl Harbor...
, in which not only all of its vessels were destroyed, but also those of privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
s hired to assist in the expedition.
Authorization
Following the outbreak of the American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
with the Battles of Lexington and Concord
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. They were fought on April 19, 1775, in Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay, within the towns of Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Menotomy , and Cambridge, near Boston...
in April 1775, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress
Massachusetts Provincial Congress
The Massachusetts Provincial Congress was a provisional government created in the Province of Massachusetts Bay early in the American Revolution....
, which effectively controlled the Province of Massachusetts Bay
Province of Massachusetts Bay
The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a crown colony in North America. It was chartered on October 7, 1691 by William and Mary, the joint monarchs of the kingdoms of England and Scotland...
, began discussing the need for naval defenses against raids and punitive actions by the British
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
against coastal communities in the province. A committee set up for the purpose on June 7 submitted a report on June 12 recommending the outfitting of at least six vessels, mounting up to fourteen guns, that would be managed by the province's Committee of Safety
Committee of Safety (American Revolution)
Many Committees of Safety were established throughout Colonial America at the start of the American Revolution. These committees started to appear in the 1760s as means to discuss the concerns of the time, and often consisted of every male adult in the community...
. Further discussion was apparently delayed by the Battle of Bunker Hill
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, mostly on and around Breed's Hill, during the Siege of Boston early in the American Revolutionary War...
on June 17, and was not taken up again until August. In the interim, the Provincial Congress was replaced by the Massachusetts Great and General Court
Massachusetts General Court
The Massachusetts General Court is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases...
as the province's legislative body, with a council acting as the executive. It received a petition in August from the town of Machias in the District of Maine
District of Maine
The District of Maine was a legal designation for what is now the U.S. state of Maine from American independence until the Missouri Compromise on March 4, 1820, after which it gained its independence from Massachusetts and became the 23rd state in the Union...
(now the state of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
) for protection and relief following the June Battle of Machias
Battle of Machias
The Battle of Machias was the first naval engagement of the American Revolutionary War...
, in which a British sloop-of-war was seized, and the capture in July of two more British ships. The legislature responded by officially adopting Machias Liberty and Diligence, appointing Jeremiah O'Brien
Jeremiah O'Brien
Captain Jeremiah O’Brien was a captain in the Massachusetts State Navy. Prior to its existence Captain Jeremiah O’Brien (1744–1818) was a captain in the Massachusetts State Navy. Prior to its existence Captain Jeremiah O’Brien (1744–1818) was a captain in the Massachusetts State...
their commander, with authorization to hire up to thirty seamen. These two ships served the state until October 1776.
On November 1, the Massachusetts legislature enacted a law authorizing the issuance of letters of marque, as well as the creation of admiralty court
Admiralty court
Admiralty courts, also known as maritime courts, are courts exercising jurisdiction over all maritime contracts, torts, injuries and offences.- Admiralty Courts in England and Wales :...
s for judging naval disputes and the disposition of captured prize
Prize (law)
Prize is a term used in admiralty law to refer to equipment, vehicles, vessels, and cargo captured during armed conflict. The most common use of prize in this sense is the capture of an enemy ship and its cargo as a prize of war. In the past, it was common that the capturing force would be allotted...
ships and cargo. On February 7, 1776, it enacted a law authorizing the construction of ten sloops, to carry fourteen to sixteen guns each, and approved £10,000 for their construction.
Ships, 1776 to 1779
The first ships constructed were the sloop Tyrannicide and the brigantines Rising Empire and Independence, which were ready to sail in June 1776. These were followed by the sloops Republic, Freedom, and Massachusetts in September. While they were being built, additional legislation was enacted, establishing pay scales and rules for prize distribution, and in October a Board of War was created to oversee naval activities (military as well as economic) of the state.Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
and a crew complement of 200, was launched in the fall of 1779. Unfortunately, due to the disaster of the Penobscot Expedition
Penobscot Expedition
The Penobscot Expedition was the largest American naval expedition of the American Revolutionary War and the United States' worst naval defeat until Pearl Harbor...
, it was then the only ship in the state navy.
New Constitution
Administration of the navy was changed with the adoption in 1780 of a new state constitutionMassachusetts Constitution
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the fundamental governing document of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, one of the 50 individual state governments that make up the United States of America. It was drafted by John Adams, Samuel Adams, and James Bowdoin during the...
. The governor
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
was responsible for issuing commissions and orders, and the Agent of the Commonwealth was responsible for outfitting the state's ships, and the Board of War ceased to exist.
Ships, 1780 to 1783
The state continued to authorize new ships for the navy. In the spring of 1780 the Mars was purchased, and the Defence was purchased in 1781. During the following winter and spring, the Tartar and Winthrop, the last ship commissioned into the navy, were constructed for the state.Privateering and prizes
The state issued nearly 1,000 letters of marque authorizing privateering activities. The Massachusetts prize courts were busiest in 1779, when more than 180 prizes were adjudicated. This activity resulted in a demand for prison capacity for the captured crews, and the competition between the state navy and the privateers resulted in increased costs to the state to man its ships.Naval activities
While the state's ships were most often patrolling in nearby waters, they ranged as far as the European coast, where prizes were sometimes taken (although those were also often recovered by the British). Its ships sometimes worked in concert with privateers, Continental Navy vessels, and French vessels.On 25 November 1776, , a 14-gun brig with a crew of 70 men under the command of Lieutenant George (or James) Dawson, captured Independence, Captain Simeon Sampson, after a hard fight during which Dawson out sailed Sampson. As Independence had a larger crew and out-gunned Hope she should have prevailed, but superior sailing, tactics, and a better crew delivered the victory to Hope. Hope escorted Independence to Fort Cumberland
Fort Beauséjour
Fort Beauséjour, was built during Father Le Loutre's War from 1751-1755; it is located at the Isthmus of Chignecto in present-day Aulac, New Brunswick, Canada...
where 14 of her guns were transferred to the fort's defenses.
Still, most of the Massachusetts navy's engagements were minor, involving only a small number of ships, and little or no combat. The most notable exception was the Penobscot Expedition
Penobscot Expedition
The Penobscot Expedition was the largest American naval expedition of the American Revolutionary War and the United States' worst naval defeat until Pearl Harbor...
, organized by the state in response to a British expedition that established a fortified base on the eastern shore of Penobscot Bay
Penobscot Bay
Penobscot Bay originates from the mouth of Maine's Penobscot River. There are many islands in this bay, and on them, some of the country's most well-known summer colonies. The bay served as portal for the one time "lumber capital of the world," namely; the city of Bangor...
. The naval component of the state's response included three ships of the state navy, one from the New Hampshire State Navy
New Hampshire State Navy
The New Hampshire State Navy during the American Revolutionary War consisted of a single ship commissioned by the state of New Hampshire in 1779. The Hampden, a privateer owned by John Langdon, was purchased and outfitted by the state in August 1779 for use in what became known as the Penobscot...
, three Continental Navy vessels, and numerous private vessels, including transports for the 1,000 militia that were sent to dislodge the British. The operation was a fiasco. The Continental Navy
Continental Navy
The Continental Navy was the navy of the United States during the American Revolutionary War, and was formed in 1775. Through the efforts of the Continental Navy's patron, John Adams and vigorous Congressional support in the face of stiff opposition, the fleet cumulatively became relatively...
's Commodore Dudley Saltonstall
Dudley Saltonstall
Dudley Saltonstall was an American naval commander during the American Revolutionary War. He is best known as the commander of the naval forces of the 1779 Penobscot Expedition, which ended in complete disaster, with all ships lost...
, who commanded the fleet, disagreed with Solomon Lovell
Solomon Lovell
Solomon Lovell was a brigadier general in the militia of the state of Massachusetts during the American Revolutionary War. He is best known for leading the land forces during the 1779 Penobscot Expedition, a disastrous attempt by Massachusetts to dislodge a British force from a settlement on a...
, the militia commander, over the overall command of the expedition. When a British fleet arrived, Saltonstall's fleet disintegrated. Ships surrendered, grounded and burned, or were abandoned after fleeing up the Penobscot River
Penobscot River
The Penobscot River is a river in the U.S. state of Maine. Including the river's West Branch and South Branch increases the Penobscot's length to , making it the second longest river system in Maine and the longest entirely in the state. Its drainage basin contains .It arises from four branches...
. The expedition has been called the worst United States naval defeat prior to the Japanese
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Inquiries into the matter faulted Saltonstall for his actions; he was dismissed from the navy. In late 1782 Captain George Little
George Little (naval officer)
George Little was a United States Navy officer. He served in the Massachusetts State Navy during the Revolutionary War and in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France.At age 25, Little was appointed first lieutenant of Massachusetts ship Protector in 1779, and was aboard in 1781 when...
sailed Winthrop to the British site, and captured three ships, including a 16-gun privateer that was within range of the guns of Fort George
Fort George (Maine)
Fort George was a colonial era fort, erected in 1715, that was located in Brunswick, when Maine was under jurisdiction of the Province of Massachusetts Bay.-History:...
.
The navy continued in operations until June 4, 1783, when the Winthrop, the last ship owned by the state, was sold.
Captains
The list of names is from Paullin unless otherwise cited; other fields are from other sources.| Captain | Years of service | Ships |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah O'Brien Jeremiah O'Brien Captain Jeremiah O’Brien was a captain in the Massachusetts State Navy. Prior to its existence Captain Jeremiah O’Brien (1744–1818) was a captain in the Massachusetts State Navy. Prior to its existence Captain Jeremiah O’Brien (1744–1818) was a captain in the Massachusetts State... |
Machias Liberty, Diligence | |
| John Lambert | ||
| John Fisk | Tyrannicide, Massachusetts | |
| John Foster Williams John Foster Williams John Foster Williams was an officer in the Massachusetts State Navy during the American Revolutionary war.-Biography:... |
Massachusetts, Republic, Hazard, Protector | |
| John Clouston | ||
| Jonathan Haraden Jonathan Haraden Jonathan Haraden was a privateer during the American Revolution.-Biography:Born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Haraden joined the Massachusetts State Navy in July 1776 as First Lieutenant of the sloop-of-war Tyrannicide, fourteen guns... |
Tyrannicide | |
| Daniel Souther | ||
| Simeon Samson | Independence, Hazard, and Mars | |
| Richard Welden | ||
| Allen Hallet | Tyrannicide, Republic, Active, Tartar | |
| James Nevens | ||
| John Cathcart | Tyrannicide | |
| George Little George Little (naval officer) George Little was a United States Navy officer. He served in the Massachusetts State Navy during the Revolutionary War and in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France.At age 25, Little was appointed first lieutenant of Massachusetts ship Protector in 1779, and was aboard in 1781 when... |
Winthrop |
Ships
The list of names, ship type, and years of service are from Paullin unless otherwise cited; other fields are from other sources.| Ship | Type (guns) | Years of service | Captains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machias Liberty | sloop (10–20) | 1775–1776 | O'Brien |
| Diligent | schooner (10–20) | 1775–1776 | O'Brien |
| Tyrannicide Massachusetts ship Tyrannicide (1776) Tyrannicide was a 14-gun brigantine-rigged sloop of the Massachusetts State Navy. The ship was built for the American Revolutionary War and participated in commerce raiding until destroyed in the Penobscot expedition.-John Fisk:... |
brigantine (at first a sloop) (14) | 1776–1779 | Fisk, Haraden, Hallet, Cathcart |
| Rising Empire | brigantine (10–20) | 1776–1777 | |
| Independence | brigantine (14 x 6-pounder guns, 10 x 4-pounder guns, 10 swivel gun Swivel gun The term swivel gun usually refers to a small cannon, mounted on a swiveling stand or fork which allows a very wide arc of movement. Another type of firearm referred to as a swivel gun was an early flintlock combination gun with two barrels that rotated along their axes to allow the shooter to... s, + 2 x coehorn Coehorn A Coehorn was a portable mortar developed in the Netherlands by Menno van Coehoorn in 1674 and in use from the seventeenth to the mid nineteenth centuries. Unlike larger, heavier mortars, the Coehorn was designed to be movable by as few as four men... s) |
1776 | Simeon Sampson, or Samson |
| Republic | sloop (10–20) | 1776–1777 | Williams, Hallet |
| Freedom | sloop (10–20) | 1776–1777 | |
| Massachusetts | brigantine (10–20) | 1776–1778 | Williams |
| Hazard | brigantine (10–20) | 1777–1779 | Williams |
| Active | brigantine (10–20) | 1779 | Hallet |
| Lincoln | galley | 1779–1781 | |
| Protector | frigate (26) | 1779–1781 | Williams |
| Mars | ship (10–20) | 1780–1781 | |
| Defence | sloop (10–20) | 1781 | |
| Tartar | ship (10–20) | 1782–1783 | Hallet |
| Winthrop | sloop (10–20) | 1782–1783 | Little |