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202 HISTORY OF MARYLAND
the commercial enterprise of Baltimore was at this time in a great measure
suspended—the mouth of the Chesapeake being watched by British ships of
war, and the merchants doubtful whether their most peaceful and legitimate
intentions of trade would be respected, for the most part laid up their ships
to be fitted out ere long as privateers—the crews were idle, and there was no
difficulty in obtaining sailors.
These two vessels were the first regular cruisers that went to sea under
the new government. Late in November, they left the Patapsco in company,
and were fortunate enough to descend the Chesapeake and pass the capes
undiscovered by the British cruisers. They were ordered to join Commodore
Hopkins in the Delaware, who had been directed by congress to proceed with
his fleet to the southward, with a view to operate against Lord Dunmore, who
was then ravaging the Virginia coast.
When the Hornet and Wasp arrived in the Delaware they found the little
fleet of Commodore Hopkins, consisting of the Alfred, (the flag ship,) of 30
guns ; the Columbus, 30 ; the Cabot, (brig,) of 16 ; the Audrea Doria, (brig,)
14; and the Providence, (sloop,) of 12, together with the Fly, (tender,)
anchored under Cape Henlopen. On the 17th of February, Commodore Hopkins got to sea, and on the 19th, as the squadron was steering south with a
fresh breeze, the Fly "ran foul of the Hornet," which compelled them to part
company, and they did not join again during the cruise. The squadron rendezvoused at Abaco, from which station the Commodore made a descent on
New Providence, capturing the town and bringing away the governor, several
prominent citizens, and a large quantity of cannon and other military stores.
On the 17th of March, the fleet steered for the colonies, the Wasp arriving at
Philadelphia, the others at other ports. The Hornet, almost a wreck, also
arrived at Philadelphia, when Barney was transferred to the Wasp. A short
time after this the Wasp captured a British tender in the Delaware, and for
his conduct on this occasion, Barney was made a lieutenant in the Navy of
the United Colonies.
In consequence of the failure of Commodore Hopkins to perform the duties
assigned him on his voyage south, congress, on the 16th of October, passed a vote .
of censure on Mm, and on the 2d of January, 1777, formally dismissed him from
the service. Captain James Nicholson was then the senior officer of the navy,
a station he held to the close of the war. He was appointed captain on the
6th of June, 1776, and when the rank was arranged on the 10th of October
of the same year, the Marine Committee of Congress placed him at the head
of the list of captains. While he was serving as commander of the Defence in
Baltimore, the frigate Virginia, ordered by the Act of 1775, was finished, and
he was assigned to the command. The vigilant blockade of the enemy at the
mouth of the Chesapeake prevented the Virginia from getting to sea until the
spring of 1776, when, having received her crew and equipments, she made
the attempt on the 30th of March. It appears that she followed another vessel
down the bay, under the impression that the best pilot was in charge of her.
| Title | History of Maryland - 2 |
| Creator | Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas) |
| Publisher | J. B. Piet |
| Place of Publication | Baltimore |
| Date | 1879 |
| Language | eng |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Title | 00000231 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | 202 HISTORY OF MARYLAND the commercial enterprise of Baltimore was at this time in a great measure suspended—the mouth of the Chesapeake being watched by British ships of war, and the merchants doubtful whether their most peaceful and legitimate intentions of trade would be respected, for the most part laid up their ships to be fitted out ere long as privateers—the crews were idle, and there was no difficulty in obtaining sailors. These two vessels were the first regular cruisers that went to sea under the new government. Late in November, they left the Patapsco in company, and were fortunate enough to descend the Chesapeake and pass the capes undiscovered by the British cruisers. They were ordered to join Commodore Hopkins in the Delaware, who had been directed by congress to proceed with his fleet to the southward, with a view to operate against Lord Dunmore, who was then ravaging the Virginia coast. When the Hornet and Wasp arrived in the Delaware they found the little fleet of Commodore Hopkins, consisting of the Alfred, (the flag ship,) of 30 guns ; the Columbus, 30 ; the Cabot, (brig,) of 16 ; the Audrea Doria, (brig,) 14; and the Providence, (sloop,) of 12, together with the Fly, (tender,) anchored under Cape Henlopen. On the 17th of February, Commodore Hopkins got to sea, and on the 19th, as the squadron was steering south with a fresh breeze, the Fly "ran foul of the Hornet," which compelled them to part company, and they did not join again during the cruise. The squadron rendezvoused at Abaco, from which station the Commodore made a descent on New Providence, capturing the town and bringing away the governor, several prominent citizens, and a large quantity of cannon and other military stores. On the 17th of March, the fleet steered for the colonies, the Wasp arriving at Philadelphia, the others at other ports. The Hornet, almost a wreck, also arrived at Philadelphia, when Barney was transferred to the Wasp. A short time after this the Wasp captured a British tender in the Delaware, and for his conduct on this occasion, Barney was made a lieutenant in the Navy of the United Colonies. In consequence of the failure of Commodore Hopkins to perform the duties assigned him on his voyage south, congress, on the 16th of October, passed a vote . of censure on Mm, and on the 2d of January, 1777, formally dismissed him from the service. Captain James Nicholson was then the senior officer of the navy, a station he held to the close of the war. He was appointed captain on the 6th of June, 1776, and when the rank was arranged on the 10th of October of the same year, the Marine Committee of Congress placed him at the head of the list of captains. While he was serving as commander of the Defence in Baltimore, the frigate Virginia, ordered by the Act of 1775, was finished, and he was assigned to the command. The vigilant blockade of the enemy at the mouth of the Chesapeake prevented the Virginia from getting to sea until the spring of 1776, when, having received her crew and equipments, she made the attempt on the 30th of March. It appears that she followed another vessel down the bay, under the impression that the best pilot was in charge of her. |
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