The SAR MAGAZINE is the official quarterly publication of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution published quarterly.
Issue link: http://sar.epubxp.com/i/374815
SUMMER 2014 25 Lord Dunmore, the former Royal Governor of Virginia, had gathered a large store of arms, gunpowder, and ammunition in the Bahamas. The store was guarded by only a few British soldiers and some local militia. Commodore Esek Hopkins of the Continental Navy thought this would be an easy way to increase the guns and ammunition of Washington's Continental forces. Thus, in late February 1776, a fleet under the command of Hopkins set sail for the Bahamas. On March 1, they were off the coast of the Bahamas. The local forces were aware of their arrival, but Hopkins decided to keep the ships anchored off the coast for two days. On March 3, the Marines went ashore and the guns of Fort Montague fell silent after a few rounds. The Marines stayed beyond the range of the cannons. By early afternoon, officers from the local militia approached to discuss the objectives of the American forces. When they were assured that they were only after the gunpowder and not there to pillage Nassau, the local militia surrendered Fort Montague. The Continental Marines camped at the fort for the night. This gave Governor Browne, Royal Governor of the Bahamas, time to decide what to do to protect the gunpowder. He decided to move as much of the gunpowder as possible to two merchant ships anchored in Nassau's harbor. By the morning of March 4, both ships were on their way to Florida unbeknown to the Marines. As the Continental Marines approached the city of Nassau, a group of locals met them and surrendered the city. The Marines proceeded to Fort Nassau and became enraged by what Governor Browne had done. They wanted the gunpowder. They were able to get about 40 barrels of gunpowder and several dozen cannons for the Continental forces but not the large amount they had hoped to secure. Browne was put in irons and placed in the brig of the Continental ship, Alfred. A short time later he was traded back to the British only to be chastened in London for letting Fort Nassau fall. This was the first amphibious landing by the Continental Marines on foreign soil. It was the beginning of a long and illustrious history of the United States Marine Corps. Huzzah! References: http://marine76.8.com/history, http://militaryhistorynow. com, http://earlyamerica.com, www.usmarinesbirthplace. com Curator for the Department of the Navy, Washington SAR Nassau Cruise If you would like to join the SAR on a cruise down the Atlantic Coast to Nassau, Bahamas, to honor and pay tribute to the first amphibious landing of the Continental Marines, please make your reservations today! As we sail along the Atlantic coastline, SAR members will talk about of the Revolutionary War battles that took place in the states we pass. We will leave Baltimore, Md., on May 15, 2015, and cruise down the coast to Cape Canaveral, where we will journey to the monument marking The Last Naval Battle of the American Revolution. After placing a wreath at the monument, we will return to the ship and cruise to Nassau. Shortly upon arrival, we will place a wreath at the site of Fort Nassau in honor of the Continental Marines. We will have the rest of the day and evening to explore the city of Nassau. Next, we will sail to Coco Cay to spend the day relaxing on the beach, and we will have a cookout or you may stay aboard the ship and relax by the pool, or a little of both. Then we will sail back to Baltimore. This is a great opportunity to get to know other SAR members in a relaxed setting. Do not miss the honoring of a FIRST and LAST of the American Revolution! For detailed information on the SAR Nassau Cruise, see pages 26-27. The Continental Marines landing at Nassau.