Battle of Gloucester (1775)

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Infobox Military Conflict
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|caption=Battle of Gloucester
|conflict=Battle of Gloucester
|partof=the American Revolutionary War
|date=August 9 - August 10, 1775
|place=Cape Ann, Massachusetts
|result=American Victory
|combatant1=
|combatant2=
|commander1=
|commander2=John Linzee
|strength1=
|strength2=
|casualties1=
|casualties2=|The Battle of Gloucester was a minor battle fought during the American Revolutionary War in Gloucester, Massachusetts on August 9-10th, 1775, commanded by Captain John Linzee. Linzee, the commander of the HMS Falcon, chased two American schooners that were returning from the West Indies. After capturing one schooner, Linzee chased the second one into Gloucester Harbor. ["Revolutionary War Naval Minor Engagements, 1775-1783." http://www.myrevolutionarywar.com/battles/1775-1783n.htm (accessed 04/11/2008).]

Background

Thacher's Island played an important role in the Revolution. It was the place where many battles, both minor and major, have taken place, which has helped secure victory for the Colonies. ["Dogtown: Location, History, and Legend." http://myweb.northshore.edu/users/ccarlsen/poetry/gloucester/dogtownhistory.html (accessed 04/11/2008).] The Island, named after Anthony Thacher, was located in perilous waters and caused many shipwrecks. With the large number of shipwrecks around this area, there was a petition sent from sea captains to erect a light on the island. On April 22, 1771, the Massachusetts Council gave authorization for a three-man committee to build a lighthouse on the island. The lights went on December 21, 1771. ["History of the Town of Gloucester" (1860).]

Although these lights were valuable assistance for the fishermen and sailors of the sea, there was a strong feeling among the townspeople that the keeper, Captain Kirkwood, a Tory, was helping the British fleet. This feeling increased after tension as a result of the Battle of Bunker Hill and Battles of Lexington and Concord. [Harry L. Walen, "The Role of Thacher'sIsland in the American Revolutionary War" (2006), http://www.founderspatriots.org/articles/thachers_island.htm (accessed 04/11/2008).]

The Battle

Early in July, Dr. Samuel Rogers of Gloucester, led his company of minutemen to the island. He destroyed the lights, and brought Captain Kirkwood, his family, and his assistants back to the mainland. Just offshore, Captain John Linzee's "Falcon", which had been active with the British offshore at Bunker Hill, was cruising off the cape. The "Falcon" was chasing a ship that they were unsuccessful at capturing. [Walen, "Role of Thacher's Island."]

On August 9-10, 1775, Captain Linzee gave chase to two American schooners that were returning to Salem from the West Indies. After capturing one schooner, Linzee gave chase of the other into Gloucester Harbor. On August 10, while Linzee was in the harbor, the townspeople became infuriated and opened fire from the shore on the "Falcon". Linzee gave orders to fire back but was forced to withdraw. He lost both schooners, two barges, and 35 men. [Walen, "Role of Thacher's Island."]

Aftermath

This minor battle during the American Revolutionary War was a victory for the Patriots. Thacher Island continued to play an important role in the war, winning many battles for the Americans. [ "Revolutionary War Naval Minor Engagements."]

References