HMS St John (1764)
Encyclopedia
HMS St. John was a Royal Navy
ship attacked in 1764 by American colonists in Newport, Rhode Island
.
in 1764, because the colony's main industry was producing rum from molasses. To collect the tax the British sent several ships to New England including HMS Squirrel
.
In 1764 crew members on another British ship, HMS St John had allegedly stolen goods from Newport merchants. Therefore, a group of Rhode Islanders took control of Fort George on Goat Island
in Newport harbor and fired cannon shots at the British ship. The shots were one of the first open acts of rebellion against the British government in America. The Rhode Islanders were acting under orders from local officials, but dispersed before HMS Squirrel, a twenty-gun ship, arrived at the scene. St. John successfully fled the harbor.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
ship attacked in 1764 by American colonists in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
.
History
Rhode Islanders were violently opposed to the passage of the Sugar ActSugar Act
The Sugar Act, also known as the American Revenue Act or the American Duties Act, was a revenue-raising act passed by the Parliament of Great Britain on April 5, 1764. The preamble to the act stated: "it is expedient that new provisions and regulations should be established for improving the...
in 1764, because the colony's main industry was producing rum from molasses. To collect the tax the British sent several ships to New England including HMS Squirrel
HMS Squirrel (1755)
HMS Squirrel was a Royal Navy sixth rate, built in 1755.-History:HMS Squirrel was originally constructed in Woolwich Dockyard and launched on 23 October 1755, and mounted 20 guns. After serving during the French and Indian War, she was used to enforce customs laws in New England prior to the...
.
In 1764 crew members on another British ship, HMS St John had allegedly stolen goods from Newport merchants. Therefore, a group of Rhode Islanders took control of Fort George on Goat Island
Goat Island (Rhode Island)
Goat Island is a small island in Narragansett Bay and is part of the city of Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. The island is connected to the Easton's Point neighborhood via a causeway bridge. Goat Island is home to the Newport Harbor Light , The Marina Cafe & Pub, Belle Mer, and the Goat Island South...
in Newport harbor and fired cannon shots at the British ship. The shots were one of the first open acts of rebellion against the British government in America. The Rhode Islanders were acting under orders from local officials, but dispersed before HMS Squirrel, a twenty-gun ship, arrived at the scene. St. John successfully fled the harbor.
See also
- HMS LibertyHMS Liberty (1768)HMS Liberty was a British ship that was burned in 1769 by American colonists in Newport, Rhode Island as one of the first acts of open defiance against the British crown.-History:The ship was originally owned by John Hancock...
- Gaspée AffairGaspée AffairThe Gaspée Affair was a significant event in the lead-up to the American Revolution. The HMS Gaspée, a British customs schooner that had been enforcing unpopular trade regulations, ran aground in shallow water on June 9, 1772, near what is now known as Gaspee Point in the city of Warwick, Rhode...