thedrifter
01-23-05, 12:48 AM
January 24, 2005
The Lore of the Corps
Marines took Nassau in amphibious assault
By Don Burzynski
Special to the Times
At the onset of the American Revolution, Congress, particularly the New England delegates, insisted on having a continental fleet. The Southern delegates balked at the idea but approved it if the fleet’s first mission would be an incursion on the British Bahamas, in what would become the Marine Corps’ first amphibious assault.
New Providence, the capital, was known to have a huge arsenal of artillery, ammunition and military equipment.
Marine Capt. Samuel Nicolas commanded the 234 Marines on board the six ships — Alfred, Columbus, Andrea Doria, Cabot, Hornet and Wasp.
In early 1776, the fleet set sail for the Bahamas from the Delaware Capes near Philadelphia. Nassau was the administrative center of the islands with a defense of 300 provisional militia.
The Americans anchored 50 miles north of Nassau. Fort Nassau and Fort Montagu protected the city on the west and east. With these two forts, the British considered the island their strongest possession in North America.
Three ships surprised the town while the other ships kept out of sight. The Marines stayed hidden below deck until loading for the amphibious assault.
On March 3, after hearing of the nearby fleet, the island’s governor sounded the alarm with three cannons, which promptly collapsed on their mounts. Fifty sailors and 234 Marines landed in whaleboats at New Guinea, two miles east of Fort Montagu. The landing was unopposed.
The British meanwhile spiked all the cannon except three guns. This would have been the perfect moment to resist the Americans, but the moment was lost.
The British retreated to Fort Nassau and asked their black slaves to fight alongside them. A few agreed and were armed with pistols. Marine Lt. John Trevett, under a flag of truce, told the townspeople that the American forces were coming for the stores and would spare the town.
The next day, the Marines took Fort Nassau without firing a shot. The flag of the United Colonies was run up in place of the British colors. Marines captured the governor, who appeared to be ready to escape.
The Marines also captured a total of 46 iron cannons, 140 hand grenades, 9,831 round shot, 154 bolts of double-headed shot, 11 canisters of grape, two mortars, 24 barrels of powder, 220 gun carriages and 355 British pounds sterling.
On March 16, the Marines embarked for home. By attacking outside the continental United States, the Americans had internationalized the war. British supremacy on the sea was challenged, and Marine amphibious assaults were possible anywhere.
The writer is a War of 1812 Marine re-enactor. He can be reached at dburzynski2003@yahoo.com.
Ellie
The Lore of the Corps
Marines took Nassau in amphibious assault
By Don Burzynski
Special to the Times
At the onset of the American Revolution, Congress, particularly the New England delegates, insisted on having a continental fleet. The Southern delegates balked at the idea but approved it if the fleet’s first mission would be an incursion on the British Bahamas, in what would become the Marine Corps’ first amphibious assault.
New Providence, the capital, was known to have a huge arsenal of artillery, ammunition and military equipment.
Marine Capt. Samuel Nicolas commanded the 234 Marines on board the six ships — Alfred, Columbus, Andrea Doria, Cabot, Hornet and Wasp.
In early 1776, the fleet set sail for the Bahamas from the Delaware Capes near Philadelphia. Nassau was the administrative center of the islands with a defense of 300 provisional militia.
The Americans anchored 50 miles north of Nassau. Fort Nassau and Fort Montagu protected the city on the west and east. With these two forts, the British considered the island their strongest possession in North America.
Three ships surprised the town while the other ships kept out of sight. The Marines stayed hidden below deck until loading for the amphibious assault.
On March 3, after hearing of the nearby fleet, the island’s governor sounded the alarm with three cannons, which promptly collapsed on their mounts. Fifty sailors and 234 Marines landed in whaleboats at New Guinea, two miles east of Fort Montagu. The landing was unopposed.
The British meanwhile spiked all the cannon except three guns. This would have been the perfect moment to resist the Americans, but the moment was lost.
The British retreated to Fort Nassau and asked their black slaves to fight alongside them. A few agreed and were armed with pistols. Marine Lt. John Trevett, under a flag of truce, told the townspeople that the American forces were coming for the stores and would spare the town.
The next day, the Marines took Fort Nassau without firing a shot. The flag of the United Colonies was run up in place of the British colors. Marines captured the governor, who appeared to be ready to escape.
The Marines also captured a total of 46 iron cannons, 140 hand grenades, 9,831 round shot, 154 bolts of double-headed shot, 11 canisters of grape, two mortars, 24 barrels of powder, 220 gun carriages and 355 British pounds sterling.
On March 16, the Marines embarked for home. By attacking outside the continental United States, the Americans had internationalized the war. British supremacy on the sea was challenged, and Marine amphibious assaults were possible anywhere.
The writer is a War of 1812 Marine re-enactor. He can be reached at dburzynski2003@yahoo.com.
Ellie