The Continental Navy ’ s Shakedown Cruise
smallpox and tropical fever had reduced their chances even further . The weather during the return trip proved troublesome as well ; Wasp was separated from the squadron in a storm and made her way independently back to Philadelphia by 4 April . 24 That same day would prove an auspicious one when Columbus came across the 6-gun schooner Hawke ( a tender to the British squadron operating out of Newport , Rhode Island ) near Long Island and compelled her to strike her colors without having to fire a shot . The brief action was the first time a Continental Navy ship captured a Royal Navy vessel . The following day , Hopkins ’ s squadron captured the bomb brig Bolton , designed to lob explosive shells from two howitzers , armed with eight additional cannon , and “ well found with all sorts of Stores , Arms , Powder & c .” 25 While the expedition had not been without its challenges up to that point , Commodore Hopkins and his squadron approached Rhode Island with a respectable haul of captured vessels and military supplies .
Around half-past one in the morning on 6 April , as the squadron approached Block Island off southern Rhode Island , the American crews were suddenly roused by shouts to prepare for action . With the brig Cabot ( commanded by the Commodore ’ s son , Captain John Burroughs Hopkins ) in the van of the squadron , her crew detected an unknown ship steering directly for them . The newcomer was the 20-gun HMS Glasgow , one of the vessels of the British squadron at Newport . Commodore Hopkins , in Alfred , was a short distance behind his son ’ s brig but issued no signals to the rest of the squadron . In the words of Captain Biddle aboard Andrew Doria , “ Away we went all Helter Skelter one flying here another there to cut off the Retreat of a fellow that did not fear us . I kept close to the Admiral that I might sooner receive his orders . But he had none to give .” As Glasgow ’ s captain called out for the Continental ships to identify themselves , an over-eager marine threw a grenade from Cabot , which was promptly answered by a full British broadside . 26
Cabot returned fire but Glasgow ’ s better-drilled gun crews and heavier cannon quickly outmatched the American vessel . Multiple broadsides smashed into Cabot ’ s hull and rigging , killing four men and wounding seven others , including young Captain Hopkins . Barely under control , Cabot broke off for the rest of the battle and nearly ran afoul of Andrew Doria , forcing Captain Biddle to steer away and delayed his entry into the action . Next to engage Glasgow was Alfred herself , which kept in close combat for nearly a half-hour until Alfred ’ s tiller ropes were shot away . As Alfred drifted out of control , Glasgow was able to rake the Continental flagship fore-and-aft , inflicting heavy damage , and killing six men and wounding six more . Andrew Doria was then able to join the battle , along with Columbus . According to Biddle , “ we exercised Great Guns and small arms and had two men hurt by it .” Alfred was able to regain steering control , and the three Continental vessels chased Glasgow towards Newport until daylight . At that point , Commodore Hopkins felt they were being drawn imprudently close
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