The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-07
THE FIRST U. 5. NAVY.
Ezekiel Hopkins AdmIraI-His Cap
ture Of New Providence.
From the Boston TRANSCRIPT.

From the Boston Transcript.
The outbreak of the revolutionary war
found the patriots without a navy Con-
gress had to create one Four merchant
men were first puaphased. hastily equipp-
ed with guns and sent to sea as cruisers;
but their defects as war vessels soon be-
came so apparent that Congress deter
mined at once to set about the building OF
a navy. On Oct 3, TT75. Congress ordered
two cruisers built, and on Dec. Is the or
der was increased to five 32-gun ships five
2S-gun ships and three A-gun ships. They
were to be ready for the sea by the fol-
lowing April. The names given 10 the
thirteen vessels We're Boston. Congress.
Eftingham, Delaware, Hancock. Montgom
cry. Providence. Raleigh. Trumbun, vir>
ginia, Warren. Washington and Ran
dolph. These We're the first war vessels
constructed In the United States
The first commander-in-ch was Ezek.
tel Hopkins of Rhode Island. a Younger
brother of Congressman Stephens Hon
kins. He was appointed to this high Office
on Dec. %. no
Al the time of his appointment Ezekiel
Hopkins was a brigadier general In com
mand of the Rhode Island troops. acting
under commission from, the Governor. He
chant ships. and had also been a shin
builder: consequently he was fitted both
by experience and ability to fill the i'm
portant office given TO him. In a sborr
time fieet of four ships and three sloopa
were ready, and with these Admiral Hon
kins set out 10 win glory for himself and
country, Among his lieutenants was the
famous John Paul Jones, who was prob
10y .he most brilliant and daring naval
Oilcer or the wars with England.
The Bahama Islands In the West Indies
We're then an English colony. with New
providence as their principal seaport ana
seat OF government; and hither the row
admlfal sailed the new navy. He attack
ca the city, captured the harbor fort and
town. ana brought back with him to Amer
ica the English governor as prisoner. eigh-
" cannons and very large quantity OF
ammunition and other military stores
rms brilliant achievement was a godsend
10 the disheartened and Impoverished pa
lrlols' lt renewed their courage and re-
pIenlshed their>-stores Admiral TTonIeins
was the hero OF the hour. ana received !
vote OF thanks from Congress for his greai
deeds which had redeemed the glory and
advantage of his country.
shortly after his return from the ma.
hamas ne mettwos English ships off Blosl,
island and captured both of them. Two
days later he had an engagement with the
English twenty-nhlel gun chip Glasgow
but dld not succeed in capturing It. The
public severely censured his conduct Of
TINS battle, and in June, 1776, he was or
oered to appear before the conqressional
committee. After a hearing had been Civ
en- MIN, the committee sent a favorable
report of his actionus to Congress, which
the latter body approved. so the admiral
vas eXonerated from all blame.
lie was now placed In charge of a large
number OF war vessels, which Congress
was having built The task was difficult
one. Money and material were hard to
get. Afpowerful English fleet blockaded
the harbors, and prevented the sailing OF
some of his ships when completed. The
people became impatient. The press &C
cused him of slowness, of being laggard
in his country's services. His temper was
never Of the best, and he emphatically
resented the clamor of complaints. Again
he was summoned to appear before Con-
gress for investigation. Then the testy
old sailor lost his temper entirely, and
sent point-blank refusal to Congress-
couched in vigorous but undiplomatic
English. The result of all this was that
he was dismissed from service Jan. 2, 1777.
Ezekiel Hopkins at once equipped a fast
and powerful prvateer, and again went to
sea. He sailed TO the East Indies, where
his daring and Skill found rich rewards.
During one cruise he captured a sufficient
number of rich English merchantmen TO
cause his profits to foot up over 100000.
At another time he fell In with a large
fleet of English merchantmen protected
by a man-of-war. He boldly Joined the
fleet and every night cut out and cap
tured a vessel, until he had sent ten home
and could spare no more men from his
crew He became the most successful and
daringof all the American prlvateersmen.
When the war ended he returned TO
Rhode Island, and became one of her most
prominent and busy citizens.