Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-27
OUR FIRST NAVY.
Ezekiel Hopkins Was Commander and There
We're Fifteen Vessels.

The outbreak of the Revolutionary
war found the patriots without a navy
Congress had to create one Four
merchantmen We're first purchased
hastily equipped with guns and sent to
sea as cruisers; 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. 1115. Congress ordered two
cruisers built; and on Dec. Is 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 ny
the following April. The names given
to the = vessels We're Boston, Congress,
Dillingham;. Delaware. Hancock, Mont
gomery, Providence. Raleigh, Trum-
bull, Virginia, Warren, Washington
and Randolph. These We're the first
war vessels constructed in the United
States.
The first commanderin-chief was
Ezekiel Hopkins of Rhode Island,
younger brother Of Congressman
Stephens Hopkins. He was appointed
to this high office ON Dec -, 1113
At the time OF his appointment
Ezekiel Hopkins was a brieadier gen
eral in command of the Rhode Island
troops. acting under commission from
the governor. Tie had spent part of his
life on board merchant ships, and had
also been n shipbuilder; consequently
he was fitted both by experience and
ability to fill the important office given
to him. In a short time Il fleet of four
ships and three sloops We're ready. and
with these Admiral Hopkins set out to
win glory for himself and country.
Among his lieutcnants was the famous
John Paul Jones, who was. probably,
the most brilliant and daring naval
officer of the wars with England.
The Bahama Islands in the West
Indies were then an English colony.
with New Providence as their principal
seaport and seat of government: 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
governor as Il prisoner, 50 cannons and
ii very large quantity of ammunition
and other military stores. This bril-
liant achievement was a godsend to the
disheartened and impoverished pa
triots. 1t renewed their courage ana
replenished their stores. Admiral Hop
kinS was the hero of the hour, and re-
ceved vote of thanks from Congress
for his great deeds which had redeemed
the glory and advantage of his coun-
try.
shortly after his return from the
Bahamas he met two English ships off
Block Island and captured both If
them. Two days later he had an en-
gagemcnt with the English 90 gun ship,
Glasgow. but did not succeed in can
turing it, The public severely censured
his conduct of this battle. and in juno,
l176. he was ordered to appear before
the congressional committee. After a
hearing had been given him. the COM
mttee sent a favorable report of his
actions to Congress which the latter
body approved. SO the admiral was ex
oncrated from all blame.
He was now placed in charge of Il
large number of war vessels. which
Congress was having built. The task
was a difficult one. Money and ma
teriaI were hard to get. A powerful
English fleet blockaded the harbors.
and prevented the sailing of some of
his ships when completed. The people
him Of soWness. of being a 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 be-
fore Congress for investigation. Then
the tcSty Old sailor lost his temper en-
1ircly, and sent point blank refusal
10 Congress. couched in vigorous but
-.-I, of
all this was that he was dismissed from
the service. Jan. >. III.
Ezekiel Hopkins at once equipped a
fast and powerful privateer and again
went to sea. He sailed to the East
Indies where his daring and skill found
rich rewards. During one cruise ne
captured 4 sufficient number of rich
English merchantmen to cause his
profits to foot up over 81 ,0000 600. At an
other time he fell in with a
large fleet of English merchant
men projected by q man-of-
war. He boldly Joined the fleet, and
every night cut out and captured a YES
sci. until he had sent ten home ana
could spare no more men from his
crew. He became the most successful
and daring of all the American priVa-
teersmon.
When the war ended he returned to
Rhode Island, and became one of her
most prominent and busy citizens.