Americans plunged into the crowd of British sai lors with axes and pitchforks. Midshipman James Moore was shot down in the initial rush , a musket ball in his chest, another in his belly. H e collapsed, bleeding, to the deck. Yo ung midshipman Stillinsfleet was wo unded in the side and Bed in terror to his cabin, where he was later found. The figh ting surged along the deck as more and more of the Americans clambered over the rails. Crude as they were, axes and pitchforks proved very effective for hand-tohand fighting, and the Americans enjoyed a three-to-one advantage. The battle on the M argaretta's deck was over quickly. The British lost one man killed and fi ve wo unded. The Americans had one killed and six wounded, though one of those later died. The mortally wounded Moore was carried down to his cabin and laid on his bunk. Accordin g to Nathaniel Godfrey, when asked why he d id not strike his colors, Moore told them "he preferred Death befo re yielding to such a sett of Villains." H e go t his preference. Later, Moore was carried to the emp ty home of Icabod Jones, where he died the fo llowing day. The jubilant Americans squared the three vessels away, secured the M argaretta's
crew, and "carried her up to Mechais, in great triumph, wi th their Colours flying." A day or so later, Icabod Jones came staggering out of the woods. H e was arrested and sent to Cambridge for trial. Soon after, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress resolved to express their th anks to "Captain Jeremiah Obrian and Captain Benjamin Foster, and the other brave men under their command." They decreed that Unity, Polly, and Margaretta should rem ain in the possession of the people of Machias. W ith Margaretta being such a poor sailor, Polly was fitted out with her guns, including the three- pounders which had been lying uselessly in her hold. Renamed M achias Liberty, she was given to Jeremiah O 'Brien to command. Thus the first ship-to-ship naval action of the American Revolution ended as an American victory. For Admiral Samuel Graves, the loss of twenty prime seamen was a much greater calami ty than the loss of an insignificant schooner. For the troops and civilians in Boston, the worst of the loss was the promised two shiploads of firewood. In wri ting about the event to John Adams, James Warren noted, "this is doing great Service. they are reduced to great
straits for wood as well as fresh provisions in Boston. it is said it wo uld fetch three Gueneas a Cord. they have already Burnt all the fences &c." Three weeks after the capture of the Margaretta, Geo rge Washington arrived in Cambridge to take command of the Continental Army. Over the next few months he wo uld come to understand that the two armies were in stalemate and that the only fight in New England was a seaborne fight for supplies and materiel. He would realize the need for an American naval force, and with no authorization to do so, he wo uld assemble a navy of his own. The naval war, begun in far-off Machias, wo uld be taken up by George Washington's secret navy. .t
James L. Nelson, a former professional sailor, is an award-winning author of historical fiction and non-fiction. H is writing covers a wide range of our maritime heritage, from piracy in colonial Virginia to the naval action of the Civil Wtir. This article is based on a chapter from his new book, George Washington's Secret Navy, released this month by M cGraw-Hill. More information on the author and his books can be found on his web site: www.jameslnelson.com.
SS JEREMIAH O'BRIEN
The National Liberty Ship Memorial, S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien, is one of the finest surviving fully functional World War II Liberty Ships. Moored at Pier 45 in the heart of San Francisco's internationally-renowned Fisherman's Wharf the O'Brien is within walking distance or a short cab ride from many leading San Francisco hotels, restaurants and attractions. Besides her regularly-scheduled Bay cruises, the O'Brien is the perfect special-event venue for lovers of the ships and sea. She's available for lease for themed-cruises for up to 800 passengers, as well as dock-side events for up to 1,200 attendees. Interior areas can host sit-down dinners, standing receptions, and dance events for 200 to 300 guests. To book the O'Brien contact news@d.avidperry.com I 416.693.0683 SEA HISTORY 123 , SUMMER 2008
65th Anniversary Year 1943 - 2008
www.ssjeremiahobrien.org
,. ÂŁ 1'16?b.. NATIONAL LIB ERTY SHIP M EMORIAL
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