On This Day: The capture of British transports marks a bold moment in the early American Navy
This isn't complicated—it's willpower.
The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Jan. 28, 1776
Gen. George Washington writes to Capt. John Manley of Marblehead to congratulate him for capturing British transports off Plymouth and praise him for his boldness. According to the U.S. Naval Institute, Manley’s first connection with the Navy came from his use of a schooner named Hannah, which was fitted and commanded by Nicholas Broughton, who was commissioned by Washington.
Manley’s schooner was chartered along with others in the fall of 1775. This too was at Washington’s initiative. Manley was paid $1.00 per ton per month for the use of his ship. Washington undertook this effort in the name of the “United Colonies of North America.”
On Jan. 25, Manley was cruising off Boston when he sighted the ship Happy Return. Giving chase, he took it in full sight of the English fleet at anchor in Nantasket Roads. Manley then placed a prize crew on the Happy Return and started to convoy it to Plymouth. But off Cohasset, he sighted a Boston-bound brig. As Manley bore down on her, she struck her colors to him, proving to be the Norfolk. He then placed a prize crew on the Norfolk and set off with his two prizes, only to then spot a British armed schooner and a convoy of two small provision vessels coming rapidly toward him.
The schooner was more heavily armed and full of men. By then, Manley had depleted his crew to man his captured ships, leaving only two officers and 16 men, along with numerous prisoners. Manley moved his ship and waited for the enemy.
A sharp battle ensued. To Manley’s great surprise, the prisoners “lent great support” to him and his men and “did as much as they dared do in such circumstances.”
The British fled to Boston while Manley made what speed he could for Plymouth. His casualties were slight. When he arrived that evening, he reported only one man wounded along with some slightly damaged rigging.
George Washington to Capt. John Manley, Jan. 28, 1776
Cambridge, Massachusetts
I received your agreeable Letter of the 26th instant giveing an account of your haveing taken & Carried into Plymouth two of the Enemys transports. Your Conduct in engageing the eight Gun Schooner, with So few hands as you went out with, your attention in Secureing Your …
This isn't complicated—it's willpower.
The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Jan. 28, 1776
Gen. George Washington writes to Capt. John Manley of Marblehead to congratulate him for capturing British transports off Plymouth and praise him for his boldness. According to the U.S. Naval Institute, Manley’s first connection with the Navy came from his use of a schooner named Hannah, which was fitted and commanded by Nicholas Broughton, who was commissioned by Washington.
Manley’s schooner was chartered along with others in the fall of 1775. This too was at Washington’s initiative. Manley was paid $1.00 per ton per month for the use of his ship. Washington undertook this effort in the name of the “United Colonies of North America.”
On Jan. 25, Manley was cruising off Boston when he sighted the ship Happy Return. Giving chase, he took it in full sight of the English fleet at anchor in Nantasket Roads. Manley then placed a prize crew on the Happy Return and started to convoy it to Plymouth. But off Cohasset, he sighted a Boston-bound brig. As Manley bore down on her, she struck her colors to him, proving to be the Norfolk. He then placed a prize crew on the Norfolk and set off with his two prizes, only to then spot a British armed schooner and a convoy of two small provision vessels coming rapidly toward him.
The schooner was more heavily armed and full of men. By then, Manley had depleted his crew to man his captured ships, leaving only two officers and 16 men, along with numerous prisoners. Manley moved his ship and waited for the enemy.
A sharp battle ensued. To Manley’s great surprise, the prisoners “lent great support” to him and his men and “did as much as they dared do in such circumstances.”
The British fled to Boston while Manley made what speed he could for Plymouth. His casualties were slight. When he arrived that evening, he reported only one man wounded along with some slightly damaged rigging.
George Washington to Capt. John Manley, Jan. 28, 1776
Cambridge, Massachusetts
I received your agreeable Letter of the 26th instant giveing an account of your haveing taken & Carried into Plymouth two of the Enemys transports. Your Conduct in engageing the eight Gun Schooner, with So few hands as you went out with, your attention in Secureing Your …
On This Day: The capture of British transports marks a bold moment in the early American Navy
This isn't complicated—it's willpower.
The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Jan. 28, 1776
Gen. George Washington writes to Capt. John Manley of Marblehead to congratulate him for capturing British transports off Plymouth and praise him for his boldness. According to the U.S. Naval Institute, Manley’s first connection with the Navy came from his use of a schooner named Hannah, which was fitted and commanded by Nicholas Broughton, who was commissioned by Washington.
Manley’s schooner was chartered along with others in the fall of 1775. This too was at Washington’s initiative. Manley was paid $1.00 per ton per month for the use of his ship. Washington undertook this effort in the name of the “United Colonies of North America.”
On Jan. 25, Manley was cruising off Boston when he sighted the ship Happy Return. Giving chase, he took it in full sight of the English fleet at anchor in Nantasket Roads. Manley then placed a prize crew on the Happy Return and started to convoy it to Plymouth. But off Cohasset, he sighted a Boston-bound brig. As Manley bore down on her, she struck her colors to him, proving to be the Norfolk. He then placed a prize crew on the Norfolk and set off with his two prizes, only to then spot a British armed schooner and a convoy of two small provision vessels coming rapidly toward him.
The schooner was more heavily armed and full of men. By then, Manley had depleted his crew to man his captured ships, leaving only two officers and 16 men, along with numerous prisoners. Manley moved his ship and waited for the enemy.
A sharp battle ensued. To Manley’s great surprise, the prisoners “lent great support” to him and his men and “did as much as they dared do in such circumstances.”
The British fled to Boston while Manley made what speed he could for Plymouth. His casualties were slight. When he arrived that evening, he reported only one man wounded along with some slightly damaged rigging.
George Washington to Capt. John Manley, Jan. 28, 1776
Cambridge, Massachusetts
I received your agreeable Letter of the 26th instant giveing an account of your haveing taken & Carried into Plymouth two of the Enemys transports. Your Conduct in engageing the eight Gun Schooner, with So few hands as you went out with, your attention in Secureing Your …
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