Revolutionary War service Esek Hopkins

esek hopkins , other rhode island merchants in sea captains carousing in surinam 1755 (he second left @ table)

hopkins appointed brigadier general command military forces of rhode island in october 4, 1775, began strengthen rhode island s defenses of deputy, william west. few months later, december 22, 1775, hopkins appointed commander in chief of continental navy authorized continental congress protect american commerce.on january 5, 1776, congress gave hopkins set of orders: instructed utmost diligence proceed said fleet sea , if winds , weather possibly admit of proceed directly chesapeake bay in virginia , when arrived there send forward small swift sailing vessel gain intelligence....if...you find not superior own enter said bay, search out , attack, take or destroy naval force of our enemies may find there. if should fortunate execute business in virginia proceed southward , make master of such forces enemy may have both in north , south carolina...notwithstanding these particular orders, hoped able execute, if bad winds, or stormy weather, or other unforeseen accident or disaster disenable do, follow such courses best judgment shall suggest useful american cause , distress enemy means in power.

hopkins took command of 8 small merchant ships had been altered men of war @ philadelphia. after deliberation taking on overwhelming british forces listed in orders, hopkins utilized last portion of orders. hopkins sailed south february 17, 1776 first u.s. fleet operation took fleet nassau in bahamas. felt more advantageous seize prize continental army take chance of destroying continental navy in infancy. knew british port in nassau poorly guarded , had friends there cause.

the battle of nassau, assault on british colony there march 3, 1776 first u.s. amphibious landing. marines , sailors landed in bold stroke, worthy of older , better trained service, capturing munitions desperately needed in war of independence. little fleet returned new london on april 8, 1776, having made prizes of 2 british merchantmen , six-gun schooner, failing capture injuring severely hms glasgow on april 6.

john hancock, president of continental congress, wrote hopkins: beg leave congratulate on success of expedition. account of spirit , bravery shown men affords them [congress] greatest satisfaction... not did hopkin s expedition needed war supplies continental army, showed british navy have divert ships belligerent colonies protect non-belligerent areas, thereby leaving fewer british ships fight on war front. john paul jones lieutenant @ time under hopkins.

hopkins decision go nassau rather pursue part of orders concerning chesapeake bay of virginia , north , south carolina, upset southern members of continental congress, added political, social, economic, religious, , philosophical differences occurring between members of congress.

what happened next in ensuing months politically complex , controversial. continental congress , individual state governors through legislatures allowed privately owned ships in battle against britain issuing letters of marque. there virtually thousands of these ships, overtook british ships, helping war effort @ sea. these privateer ships allowed claim items found on british ships conquered own. therefore able pay seamen , officers twice amount continental navy pay crews, since items captured continental ships went of colonies. after congress built , outfitted several more ships commodore hopkins use, not find adequate personnel man ships. john adams, sam adams, benjamin franklin, richard henry lee, robert treat paine , john paul jones came defense of hopkins.

nevertheless, on august 12, 1776, congress censured hopkins. humiliation , injured reputation followed. many sources have been better if hopkins relieved of command after censure, rather resume command disgraced reputation , loss of respect officers. yet shortly after john hancock, president of continental congress, wrote resolution have schooner remade war ship , named hopkins, although there no records indicate resolution fulfilled.

esek hopkins house, built ca. 1754

hopkins little fleet blockaded in narragansett bay superior british sea power rest of hopkins tenure commander-in-chief of continental navy, partly due fact had inadequate manpower confront enemy. disloyal group of hopkin s officers went directly congress while @ same time leaving ships without permission. later proven allegations officers took congress not substantiated – not in time, though, squelch happen. pressure on nature of hopkins character , ability became increasingly significant. though john hancock had congratulated hopkins @ time, hopkin s decision go nassau in bahamas , escape of glasgow used politically charged legislators against him.

even impassioned defense of john adams, continental congress voted on 2 january 1778 relieve hopkins of command permanently. nevertheless, first act hopkins did @ beginning of war in nassau, proved later effective method continental navy use against overwhelming british navy, politically used against him. substantiating this, john paul jones, had been lieutenant directly under hopkins, gained great respect while continuing same type of naval warfare against larger royal navy. furthermore, , perhaps importantly, raid on nassau brought war english in area felt more strategically threatened american colonies. west indies location of importance british both due trade concerns , due pivotal role in naval conflicts english nemesis france. paranoia on losing west indies deflect english interests , military assets away war in america. english preoccupation area cause abandon war in 1778 , may have cost war in long run. if true, might said raid first tweaking of english concern , tweaking may have set tone later english decisions. such, raid of nassau not minor tactical victory great strategic victory well.

hopkins s commission terminated congress on 30 july 1778 part in arrest of richard marven , samuel shaw, pair of whistleblowers. hopkins singlehandedly responsible resolution of congress duty of persons in service of united states, other inhabitants thereof give earliest information congress or other proper authority of misconduct, frauds or other misdemeanours committed persons in service of these states, may come knowledge.