The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-09-02
OUR FIRST NAVY.
Ezekiel Hopkins was Commander AM
Thirteen Vessels.

purchased, hastily equipped with
guns and sent to sea az cruisers I;
but their defects as war vessels soon
became so apparent that Congress
determined at once to set about the
building of a navy.
On Oct. 3, 1775, Congress or
dered two cruisers built, and on
Dec. 13 the order was increased to
five 81 gun ships, five 2s-gun ships
and three 24.gun ships. They
were to be ready for the sea by the
following April. The rames given
to the thirteen veseels were Boston,
Congress, Eflingham, Delaware,
Hancock, Montgomery, Providence,
Raleigh, Trumbull, Virginia. War
ren, Washington and Randolph.
These were the first war vessels
constructed in the United Sta es.
The first Commander-in- Chief
was Ezekiel Hopkins of Rhode
Island, d younger brother of Con-
geessman Stephen Hopkins. He
was appointed to this high office on
Dec. %, 1775.
At the time of his appointment
Ezekiel Hopkins was Brieadier-
General in command to the Rhode
Island troops, acting under COM
mission from the Governor. He
had spent part of his lite on board
merchant ships, and had always
been shipbuilder; consequently he
was fitted both by experience and
ability to fill the important office
given to him. In short time a
fleet of four ships and three sloops
were ready, and with these Admiral
Hopkins set out to win glory for
himself and country. Among his
Lieutenants was the famous John
Paul Jones, who was probably the
most brilliant and daring naval Of
ficer of the wars with England.
The Bahama Islands in the West
Indies were then an English colony,
with New Providence as their prin-
ciple seaport and seat of govern
ment, and hither the new Admiral
sailed the new navy. He attacked
the city, captured the harbor fort
and town, and brought back with
him to America the English Cover
nor as a prisoner, eighty cannons
and very large quantity of ammu-
milton and other military stores.
This brilliant achievement was a
god-send to the disheartened and
impoverished patriots. 1t renewed
their courage and replenished their
stores. Admiral Hopkins was the
hero of the hour, and received a
vote of thanks from Congress for his
great deeds which had redeemed
the glory and advantage of his
country.
Shortly after his return from the
he met two English ships
off Block Island and captured both
Of them. Two days later he had an
engagement with tire English TWEEN
Iy nine gun ship Glasgow, but did
not succeed in capturing it. The
public severely censured his con-
duct Of this battle, and in June,
l776, he was ordered to appear be-
lore the Congressional Committee.
After hearing had Leen given him
he committee sent a favorable re-
port of his actions to Congress,
which the latter body approved, so
he Admiral was exonerated from
all blame.
He was now placed in charge of a
arge number of war vessels, which
Congress was having built. The
ask was a difficult one. Money
md material were hard to get. A
English fleet blockaded
he harbors, and prevented the
'ailing of some of his ships when
completed. The people became inn
patient. The press accused him of
'lowness, of being laggard in his
,ountrys service. His temper
vas never Of the best, and he en-
resented the clamor of
Again he was sum
nc ned to appear before Congress
or investigation. Then the testy
I'D soldier lost his temper entirely
md sent a point blank refusal to
Congress, couched in vigorous but
indiplomat;c English. The result
If all this was that he was dis
missed from the service Jan. 2,
I777.
Ezekiel Hopkins at once equipped
/ fast and powerful privateer, and
again went to sea. He sailed to the
East indies, where his daring and
skill found rich reward. DuringI
,ne cruise he captured sufficient
number of rich English merchant
men to cause his profits to foot upI
over 81 900, 900. AT another timel