The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-09-15
OUa FLEETS FIRST ADMIRAL.
Interesting and Remarkable Career q
Ezekiel HOpkina.

were the names of our first war chips
and when were they built?
Probably not one out of a hundred
of the average newspaper readers can
answer, without Investigation, these
questions; yet the knowledge is inter-
esting and valuable and especially
timely Just now, when the navy and
the doings of the naval officials occupy
so large part of the public attention.
The Continental Congress at the out
set managed the Revolutionary war
through committees. there being at
that time no executive. John Adams
was chairman of the naval committee,
with Stephen Hopkins and three other
congressman az associates. On Octo-
ber 13, 1775 Congress ordered two cruis-
sers built. These were the first war
vessels constructed by the United Stat
es; and were followed by others until
by January /, 1776 Congress had Or
dered the building of fifteen cruisers.
This was the navy. and its first COM
mander-in-chief was Ezekiel Hopkins,
of Rhode Island. younger brother Of
Congressman Stephens Hopkins. He
was appointed to this high Office on
December %. 1776.
At the time of his appointment Ezek.
lei Hopkins was q brigadier-generaI
in command of the Rhode Island
troops, acting under commission from
the governor. He had spent part Of
his life on board merchant ships, and
had also been a ship builder; conse-
quently he was fitted both by exper-
ience and ability to fill the important
Office given to him. In a short time
were ready. and with these Admiral
Hopkins set out to win glory for him
self end country. Among his lieuten-
ants 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 IN
dies were then an English colony, with
New Providence as their principal sea-
port 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 a prisoner, eighty cannons
and very large quantity Of ammuni-
tion and other military stores. This
brilliant achievement was a godsend
to the disheartened and impoverished
patriots. 1t renewed their courage
and repleI ished their stores. Admiral
Hopkins was the hero of the hour and
received a vote Of thanks from Con-
gress for his great deeds which had
redeemed the glory and advantage of
his country.
Shortly after his return from the
Bahamas he met two English ships off
Block Island and captured both of
them. Two days later he had an en-
gagement with the English twenty
nine gun ship. Glasgow, but did not
succeed in capturing it The public
severely censured his conduct of this
battle. and in June. 1776, he was order
ed to appear before the congressional
committee. After hearing had been
given him, the committee sent a fay-
orable report of his actions to Com
gress. which the latter body approved,
30 the Admiral was exonerated from
all blame.
He was now placed In charge of a
large number OF war vessels, which
Congress was having built. The task
was difficult one. Money and ma
terial were hard to get. A powerful
English feet blockaded the harbors,
and prevented the sailing of some OF
his ships when completed. Tne peo-
pie became impatient The press ac-
cused him OF slowness. OF being a lag
gard 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 Congress for lnvesti-
cation. 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 the service January
2. 1777.
| hLChlCl I1OPhiho ~ ohSC C4uippGu
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
he captured sufficient number of rich
English merchantmen to cause his
profits to foot up over $1,o00,00o. At
another time he fell In with large
feet of English merchantmen protect
ed by man-of-war. He boldly joined
the feet, and every night cut out and
captured a vessel, until he had sent ten
home and could spare no more men
from his crew. He became the most
successful and daring of all the Ameri-
can privateersmen.
When the war ended he returned to
Rhode Island. and became one Of her
most prominent and busy citizens.
The outbreak of she Revolutionary
war found the patriots without a navy
Congress had to create one. Four
merchantmen were first purchased