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Give Me a Fast Ship

Page 72

by Tim McGrath


  Sherburne, Andrew, 263

  Sherman, William Tecumseh, 244

  Shuldham, Molyneux, 37, 60

  Simmons Island, 323

  Simpson, Thomas, 176, 186, 187, 217, 219–22, 224, 227, 229, 230, 258–59, 262–67, 322, 323, 328

  Skimmer, John, 235–36

  Skimmer, John, Jr., 235–36

  Slavery, 2, 16, 34, 71, 87, 101

  Smallpox, 56, 142, 144, 216, 217, 288, 322, 324, 328, 340

  Smallwood, William, 189

  Smith, David (David Freeman), 223

  Smith, Josiah, 247

  Smith, Robert, 113

  Smith, Samuel, 168

  Smyth, Captain, 360, 364–65

  Solano, Don Josef, 407, 408

  Solebay, 70, 90–92, 97

  Somers, Richard, 418

  Somerset, 144, 145, 215, 380, 403, 408, 413

  Sons of Liberty, 1, 3, 10, 11, 23, 24

  South Carolina (see also l’Indien), 386, 401

  South Carolina First Regiment, 209

  Spanish Armada, 227

  Spies, 137–40, 159, 185, 190, 194, 200, 209, 266, 274, 275, 278, 335

  Spitsbergen Island, 50

  Spotswood, Alexander, 89

  Stacey, Samuel, 295, 297–99

  Stamp Act, 2, 13, 16

  Starr, Daniel, 332

  Staten Island, 94

  Stephens, Adam, 1

  Stephens, Philip, 96

  Steuben, Baron von, 256

  Stewart, Charles, 418

  Stewart, Walter, 75, 422

  Stoddert, Benjamin, 418

  Stone, William, 45, 48

  Stormont, Lord David Murray, 121, 122, 136, 153, 157, 158, 159, 162, 180, 185, 217, 312

  Story, William, 135, 136

  Sturdy Beggar, 144

  Submarine, Bushnell’s, 93–94

  Sugar Act, 2

  Sullivan, John, 233

  Sullivan, Philip, 208, 210, 243, 244

  Sullivan’s Island, 130, 322, 327

  Surprise, 124, 135–36, 153, 158, 159, 247, 253, 399

  Swallow, 123

  Sybil, 408–11, 413

  Symonds, Thomas, 91–92, 238

  Symons, John, 78

  Talbot, Silas, 243–45, 318–19, 387, 419–20

  Tarleton, Banastre, 326–28

  Tarpaulin Cove, 112

  Tarras, Margaret, 109

  Tattamagouche, 11

  Taxation, 1, 2, 13

  Taylor, James, 144

  Taylor, Thomas, 228

  Tea Act, 2

  Teredo (mollusk), 69

  Ternay, Charles Henri-Louis d’Arsac de, 344–45

  Texel Island, 121, 122, 311, 313, 314, 316, 386, 401

  Thames, 164

  Thetis, 230

  Thomas, Alexander, 385

  Thomas, Evan, 151

  Thompson, Thomas, 98, 109, 131, 132, 147–48, 176–78, 182, 186, 214–15, 236, 237

  Thorn, 264

  Three Friends, 95

  Tidd, Thomas, 252

  Tobago, 408, 409, 411

  Tonyn, 362

  Townshend Acts, 2

  Trenton, Battle of, 107, 108, 133, 141, 284

  Trepassey, 360–61, 364–70, 377

  Trevett, John, 77, 113, 174, 175, 205–8, 222, 274, 275

  Triomphe, 412

  le Triton, 408, 410, 411

  Triumph, 347

  Trumbull, 98, 133, 237, 260, 319–20, 328–32, 344, 345, 361, 373, 375–76, 387

  Trumbull, Governor, 256

  Truxton, Thomas, 385, 420

  Tucker, Daniel, 24

  Tucker, Samuel, 194–97, 215, 260–62, 264, 322, 325, 328, 391, 419

  Turtle, 93–94, 189

  Turtle Gut Inlet, 81, 82, 153, 202, 241, 243

  21st Massachusetts Regiment (Marblehead Regiment), 12, 13, 95

  Two Brothers/St John Evangelist, 197

  Two Friends, 76, 246

  Typhus, 129, 288

  Tyrannicide, 134, 274

  Unicorn, 238–42

  Uniforms, of Continental Navy, 98, 286

  l’Union, 266

  United States, 418

  United States Navy, creation of, 418

  Unity, 10–11, 13–14, 19

  Ushant, 155, 179

  USS Brooklyn, 424

  Utrecht, Treaty of, 120, 136

  Valley Forge, 183, 188–90, 321, 350

  Van Dyke, Abraham, 344

  Vandeput, George, 18

  Varage, Enseigne de Vaisseau, 284

  Vardill, John, 140, 139

  Vashon, James, 408–11, 413

  Vaudreuil, Marquis de, 401

  Vauguyon, Duc de la, 313

  Vengeance, 284, 290–92, 301, 308, 309, 313

  Venus, 161

  Vergennes, Comte de, 121, 136, 137, 158, 159, 162, 178, 184, 201, 399

  Vernon, William, 194, 257, 259

  Victor, 146

  Victory, 265

  La Vigne, 106

  Ville de Paris, 389, 404

  Vincent, Nicholas, 209–11, 213, 214

  Virginia, 98, 133, 164, 202–4, 215, 278, 323, 329, 344, 375

  Virginia Capes, 77, 164, 202, 258, 262

  Vizaga, Don Luis, 407, 408

  Wales, Ephraim, 394

  Walker, Sir Charles, 119

  Wallace, James, 16–17, 20, 21, 35, 37, 57, 64, 68, 76, 95, 98, 103, 111, 191–93, 238, 241, 242, 319, 421

  Wallingford, Samuel, 222, 223, 225–26, 228, 230

  Wanton, Suriname, 398

  War of 1812, 168, 418–20

  War of the Spanish Succession, 120

  Ward, Samuel, 18

  Warner, Elisha, 99, 127, 234

  Warren, 99, 111, 125, 128, 132, 133, 171, 174, 215, 236, 237, 256, 258–60, 264, 274, 276, 278–80

  Warren, James, 8, 21, 22, 25, 142, 174, 236–37, 257, 259–60, 262, 348–49

  Warren, Joseph, 8

  Warren, Mercy, 9

  Warwick Island, 112

  Washington, 98, 100, 109, 132, 164, 166, 167, 169, 170

  Washington, George, 13, 18, 24, 52, 66, 67, 69, 70, 75, 79, 86, 89, 110, 151, 188, 191, 233, 243, 257, 346, 383, 395, 417

  on Arnold’s betrayal, 350

  Barry and, 192, 242

  at Brandywine Creek, 165, 181

  on British fleet, 21–22

  Bushnell and, 93

  characteristics of, 12

  Conyngham and, 255

  crossing of Delaware, 107

  Estaing and, 233, 234

  at Germantown, 168, 181

  Jones and, 265

  lack of gunpowder and, 12, 17

  letter to Morris, 106–7

  “little fleet” of, 34

  at Morristown, 321, 350

  mutiny of Hannah’s crew and, 14

  New York campaign, 94–95, 102, 103

  rank of, 31

  sinking of ships and, 169, 170

  start of unofficial Navy and, 13, 14

  supplies and, 34

  takes command of Continental Army, 7

  Ternay’s plan and, 344–45

  at Trenton and Princeton, 107–8

  at Yorktown, 376

  Washington, Martha, 89

  “Washington at War” (song), 28

  Wasp, 27, 39, 45, 48, 53, 54, 56, 57, 71, 73, 74, 79–81, 168

  Waters, David, 234

  Watt, 329–32, 375

  Wayne, Anthony, 189, 416

  Weaver, Thomas, 53

  Weazel, 177

  Welch, Hezekiah, 196–97, 349, 367, 370, 392, 393, 406

  Welsh, John, 277


  Wendell, David, 176

  Wendell, John, 176

  Wentworth, Benning, 176

  West, William, 111

  Wexford, 378

  Weymouth, Lord, 156, 159, 162, 186

  Wharton, John, 26

  Wheatley, John, 151

  Wheatley, Phillis, 151–52

  Wheatley, Susann, 151

  Whipple, Abraham, 16, 26, 46, 59, 79, 83–84, 95, 99, 111, 164, 260, 262–64, 266, 322–26, 328, 329, 391, 412, 419

  court-martial of, 69–70

  Glasgow, battle with, 63, 68, 69–70

  leadership style of, 48

  Whipple, Mrs. William, 184

  Whipple, William, 176, 254, 274

  Whitby, 78, 124

  White, William, 149

  Whitehaven, 219–24, 226, 230, 252, 265, 288

  Wickes, Lambert, 68, 71, 79–81, 83, 96, 99–102, 106, 122, 123, 136, 138, 141, 153–58, 178–79, 183, 218, 356, 378, 391

  Wickes, Richard, 81, 83

  Wild Duck (see also Lexington), 58, 64

  Wilkinson, Thomas, 104, 105

  Will, William, 361

  Willets, Jedidiah, 132

  Williams, Captain, 108

  Williams, Jonathan, 157, 355, 356, 373

  Williamson, Hugh, 422

  Willing, Thomas, 49

  Wilson, James, 320

  Windward Islands, 177, 209, 214

  Wolfe, James, 278

  Wooden Ball, 242

  Woodford, William, 35

  Workman, Hans, 213

  Wright, John, 306–7

  Wyeth, George, 25

  Wyeth, Joshua, 1, 4

  Yarmouth, 184, 209–14, 332

  York River, 164, 394

  Yorke, Sir Joseph, 312, 313

  Yorktown, 187, 284, 376, 377, 383

  Young, James, 96

  Young, Joanna, 361, 363–64, 416

  Young, John, 87, 99, 185, 215, 319, 344, 345, 361–64, 416

  hotos on this page are courtesy of Independence National Historical Park

  In 1775, John Adams had never been farther than fifteen miles out to sea from Boston, but he was the strongest advocate for the creation of the Continental Navy. Portrait by Charles Willson Peale.

  Samuel Chase—as intimidating verbally as he was physically imposing—called John Adams’s idea of a Continental Navy “the Maddest Idea in the world.” Portrait by Charles Willson Peale.

  In Paris, Benjamin Franklin championed Lambert Wickes, Gustavus Conyngham, and John Paul Jones in their successive raids along the British coastline—although he found John Barry difficult to deal with. Portrait by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis.

  Photos on this page are courtesy of Independence National Historical Park

  Only George Washington and Benjamin Franklin could match Robert Morris in holding the fragile new United States together. A financial genius, Morris saved the country from complete economic collapse and kept the Continental Navy sailing long after Congress had lost interest. Portrait by Charles Willson Peale.

  National Archives

  Tun Tavern, where John Adams, Stephen Hopkins, and other Continental congressmen discussed the formation of the navy during their meals. The Philadelphia waterfront establishment also hosted the first rendezvous for the Continental marines.

  Independence Seaport Museum

  With the Philadelphia waterfront buildings in the background, this engraving by W. Birch & Son of a frigate under construction gives us an idea of the hugeness of such an undertaking.

  Naval Historical Center

  In some respects, Abraham Whipple began the fight against the Royal Navy when he led the Rhode Island mariners in burning HMS Gaspee in 1772. Portrait by Edward Savage.

  Naval History and Heritage Command

  Continental Navy ship Columbus, commanded by Abraham Whipple, bringing in a British brig. Note the upside-down British ensign—the telltale sign of a captured vessel. Painting by Nowland Van Powell.

  ndependence National Historical Park

  When the Revolution began, John Barry was Robert Morris’s top merchant captain. When the Revolution ended, the intrepid Barry was the Continental Navy’s last captain. Portrait by Gilbert Stuart.

  Naval History and Heritage Command

  pril 7, 1776: Continental brigantine Lexington, Captain John Barry, takes the Royal Navy sloop Edward off the Virginia coast. Painting by Nowland Van Powell.

  National Archives

  The only officer to be called “Commander-in-Chief” of a naval force, Esek Hopkins failed to live up to the expectations of Congress and his own captains. Engraving by C. Corbutt.

  ndependence National Historical Park

  Young, talented, and brave, Nicholas Biddle was easily the best of Commodore Hopkins’s captains. Painting by Charles Willson Peale.

  National Archives

  This portrait of John Paul Jones by J. M. Moreau captures the conflicting traits of the man: his ambition, his inner doubts, and his indomitable will. He was a skilled mariner and brave warrior, but his biggest enemy was often himself.

  Naval Historical Foundation

  On Sunday, December 3, 1775, Lieutenant John Paul Jones raised the Grand Union flag aboard the Continental Navy flagship Alfred. The steeples of Christ Church and Independence Hall rise in the background. Painting by Nowland Van Powell.

  Naval History and Heritage Command

  The U.S. Navy has named destroyers after Gustavus Conyngham, the most successful of all Continental Navy captains, but he is almost forgotten now. Painting by V. Zveg.

  Naval Historical Center

  Marine Captain Matthew Parke served under both John Paul Jones and John Barry. Artist unknown.

  Naval Historical Center

  The Alliance entering Boston harbor, missing her mainyard after her battle with the Atalanta and Trepassey. Painted by Marine Captain Matthew Parke.

  Independence National Historical Park

  Joshua Barney was just a teenager when he joined the Continental Navy—the beginning of more than forty years of maritime service to his country. Portrait by Charles Willson Peale.

  Naval History and Heritage Command

  Continental ships Reprisal and Lexington, their guns run out, spoiling for a fight. Painting by Nowland Van Powell.

  Royal Museum, Greenwich, England

  The portrait of the quintessential frigate captain: Andrew Snape Hamond of the King’s Navy. Painting attributed to both Thomas Lawrence and G. H. Phillips.

  Naval History and Heritage Command

  While serving in the Continental Navy, Lieutenant Richard Dale survived a lightning strike, imprisonment, and the Battle off Flamborough Head. He served with distinction under both Barry and Jones. Engraving by R. W. Dobson from a drawing by J. B. Longacre, after a painting by J. Wood.

  Naval Historical Foundation

  On November 16, 1776, the brig Andrew Doria entered the harbor of St. Eustatius, where she received the first salute from a foreign government. Painting by Colonel Phillips Melville, USMC.

  New York Historical Society

  Chosen Number One on Congress’s infamous “Captains List” mainly for his southern roots, Marylander James Nicholson vexed Congress throughout the war for his unwillingness to confront the enemy—until he commanded the Trumbull.

  Independence National Historical Park

  Arthur Lee’s loathing of Benjamin Franklin sent him into mean-spirited machinations against Franklin’s admirers, including John Paul Jones and Gustavus Conyngham. Painting by Charles Willson Peale.

  Royal Museum, Greenwich, England

  Unlike Admiral Howe, Commodore Sir George Collier displayed a ruthless efficiency as commander of the Royal Navy, routing the American fleet at Penobsc
ot and sending the Continental captain King George most despised to England to be hanged. Engraving by John James Hinchcliff.

  Independence Seaport Museum

  As a longboat reaches the New Jersey shoreline, HMS Augusta blows up during the Battle for the Delaware—the largest British ship ever lost to the Americans in a war. The besieged Fort Mifflin is in the background. Painting by James Hamilton.

  U.S. Naval Museum

  How England—and the rest of Europe—imagined Gustavus Conyngham. He saw a similar drawing in the shopwindows of London.

  Independence Seaport Museum

  A Dutch engraving of Gustavus Conyngham’s Surprise capturing the royal packet Prince of Orange. With this capture, Conyngham started terrorizing British shipping, belying France’s neutrality, and bedeviling George III. Engraving by H. Fokke.

  A contemporary drawing, later colored, of Mill Prison in Plymouth, England.

  National Museum of the Marine Corps

  Under cover of darkness, John Paul Jones leads his raiding party into Whitehaven. Painting by Colonel Charles Waterhouse, USMC.

  Naval History and Heritage Command

  After the Whitehaven raid, British cartoonists portrayed John Paul Jones as the reincarnation of Blackbeard the Pirate.

  U.S. Naval Museum

  The Battle off Flamborough Head. The Bonhomme Richard and Serapis are in the foreground. To the right the Alliance unleashes a broadside at both ships while, to the left, the Pallas engages the Countess of Scarborough. Painting by William Elliot.

  David Murray, 2nd Earl of Mansfield, Lord Stormont. King George’s minister to France was convinced on a daily basis that King Louis’s government was conspiring with the American rebels—and he was right. Painting by Sylvester Harding.

 

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