Hannah Captain Nicholson Broughton Schooner 24 August 1775-11 October 1775 Schooner [ Squadron]

Commissioned/First Date: 24 August 1775/[15] August 1775 Out of Service/Cause: 14 November 1775/discharged from service

Tonnage: 78

Battery: Date Reported: 5 September 1775 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 4/4-pounders 16 pounds 8 pounds Total: 4 cannon/16 pounds Broadside: 2 cannon/8 pounds Swivels:

Crew: (1) 24 August 1775: 45 [total]

Description:

Officers: (1) First Lieutenant John Glover, Jr., 24 August 1775-; (2) Second Lieutenant John Devereux, 24 August 1775-; (3) Master Richard James, 24 August 1775-

Cruises: (1) Beverly, Massachusetts to Gloucester, Massachusetts, 5 September 1775-6 September 1775

(2) Gloucester, Massachusetts to Gloucester, Massachusetts, 6 September 1775-7 September 1775

(3) Marblehead, Massachusetts to Beverly, Massachusetts, 6 October 1775-11 October 1775

Prizes: (1) Ship Unity (Flagg), in Massachusetts Bay, 7 September 1775

Actions: (1) Action in Beverly Cove, 10 October 1775

©awiatsea.com-posted August 2019 --1-- Comments:

Perhaps as early as 4 August 1775, more probably by 15 August, a small schooner had been taken up at Beverly, Massachusetts, for conversion to a cruiser. She was the Hannah, owned by Colonel John Glover, and was the first vessel of the Continental Army squadron in the Boston area.1 Hannah’s charter was dated 24 August.2 She was a 78 ton schooner. Her charter rate was $1.00 per ton per month, and she was in service for two months and twenty-one days, at a total cost of $208.06 (or £32.8.0).3 Hannah had been built in 1765, was purchased by Glover in 1769 and had been used in the fishing and West Indies trade.4 Hannah, named after Colonel John Glover’s wife or daughter, was then moored at Beverly.5

Hannah had already had a run-in with the British. On 6 June 1775 Hannah (under master John Gale) was returning to Marblehead with a “white flag with a blue diamond” at her masthead, which was the house flag for Glover’s vessels. HM Sloop Merlin (Commander William Burnaby) was blockading the town to “prevent all kinds of illicit and contraband Trade”. Merlin sent her barge to intercept the schooner for inspection. Glover himself, watching ashore, saw the barge and set out in his own boat and pulled for the Hannah. According to Ashley Bowen: “John Glover went off and met her, and the Merlin’s barge met her at the same time. The officer of the barge ordered her

1 NDAR, “Stephen Moylan and Colonel John Glover to ,” 2: 368-369 and 369n. The note refers to Colonel John Glover’s Colony Ledger.

2 Magra, Christopher P. The Fisherman’s Cause: Atlantic Commerce and Martitime Dimensions of the American Revolution, Cambridge University Press: New York, 2009, 188. This was the date of the entry into Glover’s Colony Ledger, which was clearly added at a later date.

3 The origins and ownership of the Hannah are subject to some controversy. John Glover owned the schooner and she is listed in his colony ledger with the tonnage and charter rates as given above. Glover was a well known Marblehead merchant and a colonel in Washington's army, garrisoned in Cambridge. In an exhaustive and authoritative study entitled: “In Troubled Waters: The Elusive Schooner Hannah,” The Peabody Museum, 1970 by C. F. Smith and Russell W. Knight, investigated the background of the Hannah. The authors relied on records of ships’s clearances from Barbados and concluded that there were several Hannahs owned by the Glover family. One was owned by Jonathan, John Glover’s brother (as confusing as that is) and was named for his daughter, Hannah. There was a second one, owned by John Glover, and named for his wife, the former Hannah Gale. The former, captained at one time by Richard James, John Glover's brother-in-law, and later by Richard Stiles, who was lost at sea in the West Indies. The authors also discovered that John Glover’s Hannah, listed in Glover’s "Colony Ledger" as 78 tons, was actually smaller than that; actually 45 to 50 tons. Based on Smith and Knight, the Hannah was a vessel with a keel of 43 feet, a beam of 16.5 feet, and a seven-foot depth of hold. Magra, in his The Fisherman’s Cause, says this: “Here, Glover’s own words pertaining to his own vessel in his own ledger are taken at face value, and his math skills are discounted.” Christopher P. Magra, The Fisherman’s Cause, Cambridge University Press: New York, 2009, p. 188n39. The words of an active participant must override later speculation.

There is a second theory about the Hannah. As expounded in Thomas Macy, The Hannah and the Nautilus: The Beginning of the American Revolution at Sea, Beverly: Minuteman Press, 2002, pp. 6-7, the Hannah had recently been built by Colonel John Lee of Manchester, Massachusetts, who was the father of John Glover, Jr.’s wife. This Hannah was said to be leased on 7 August with the value of the vessel set at £400. She was then moved to Beverly for refitting. This seems to be unlikely.

4 Magra, The Fisherman’s Cause, 188

5 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 7

©awiatsea.com-posted August 2019 --2-- to bring to. Glover ordered her not, and the schooner ran under the ship’s stern, paid no regard to her and run alongside the wharf. All is well that ends well.”6

While Hannah was fitting out at Beverly, Washington selected his commander. Nicholas Broughton of Marblehead was selected to command the vessel.7 Broughton was “a Man of some property and note in the said Town” of Marblehead, and was recommended by Glover to command the Hannah.8 He was age 50, and was a pretentious, contentious, and acquisitive man.9 Moylan, defending Glover’s schooner’s reputation later, said that the “Strongest proof of his good opinion of the schooner” was that Glover had ventured his “brother & his favourite son on board of her.”10 The “brother” was his brother-in-law Richard James, her sailing master. The son was John Glover, Jr., age 20, a Lieutenant in the elder Glover’s regiment. He became First Lieutenant of the Hannah. Her second Lieutenant was John Devereaux, was also a lieutenant in the Marblehead regiment and husband of Broughton’s daughter.11

The crew was to be drafted from Glover’s Marblehead regiment, but a sailing master, master’s mate and four sailors were hired at Beverly on 24 August. These men were definitely not in the Army. The crew was to be fifty men.12 Thirty-six privates were drafted from Glover’s regiment, with twelve from Broughton’s own company.13 The companies of Broughton and Captain Thomas Grant contributed half the total.14 On 24 August this “Company of Volunteers arrived from Cambridge for privateering” at Marblehead.15 Before going aboard the Hannah, took leave at Marblehead first.

Hannah continued to fit out at Beverly through the last part of August. Glover’s ledger reveals her portledge bill amounted to £44.5.4.16 By late August Hannah had been armed with four 4-pounders,

6 Nelson, George Washington’s Secret Navy, 83, quoting the Journal of Ashley Bowen

7 NDAR, “General Orders of George Washington,” 2: 175-176 and 176n.

8 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 3

9 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 7

10 NDAR, “Stephen Moyland and Colonel John Glover to George Washington,” 2: 368 and 368-369 notes.

11 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 5; NDAR, “Stephen Moyland and Colonel John Glover to George Washington,” 2: 368 and 368 note

12 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 4

13 NDAR, General Orders of George Washington,” 2: 175-176 and 176 note, says ten from Broughton’s company. Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 5 says twelve.

14 NDAR, “General Orders of George Washington,” 2: 175-176 and 176n.

15 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 5

16 NDAR, “Stephen Moylan and Colonel John Glover to George Washington,” 2: 368-369 and 369n. The note refers to Colonel John Glover’s Colony Ledger.

©awiatsea.com-posted August 2019 --3-- There is no known contemporary drawing of this schooner nor is there a plan of this vessel. Nevertheless, there are many later interpretations of how she looked, both in picture and in model form. The Naval Academy Museum has a diorama of this vessel as she was moored during her fitting out process. For a larger view click here.

--4-- a few swivels.17 She was ready for her crew to go aboard.

On 2 September 1775, Washington Issued Broughton his sailing orders, noting that Broughton, being a “Captain in the Army of the United Colonies of North America”18 was to take command of his detachment and proceed aboard the Hannah, “lately fitted out & equipp’d with Arms, Ammunition and Provisions,” and now at Beverly.19

Washington was detailed and specific: Broughton was to sail at once against “such Vessels as may be found on the High Seas or elsewhere, bound inward and outward to and from Boston, in the service of the ministerial Army, and to take and seize all such Vessels. . .”20 Any prizes were to be sent into a port near the Army, under a careful prize master who was to immediately notify Washington. Broughton was to diligently search for enemy mall, and to forward any found which might give warning of enemy Intentions to Washington. Prisoners were to be treated kindly, nor were their private goods to be seized, and all prisoners were to be turned over to headquarters when port was made. Engagement with the enemy was to be avoided, for “the Design of this Enterprize, being to intercept the Supplies of the Enemy,. . . will be defeated by your running into unnecessary engagements.”21 Broughton was strictly charge( to be “extremely careful and frugal” with his ammunition, which was very scarce.22

In the sixth article, Washington set up a scale of prize money for the “encouragement” of the officers and men. They were to share one third the value of the cargo only, unless it was a military cargo. Provision was made for the occasions when more than one vessel participated in a capture, but again rather vaguely. Washington, being new to the business of operating a Navy, could be excused two lapses in his instructions. First, in enumerating vessels eligible for capture, he added the phrase “. . . or which you shall have good Reason to susspect are in such service.”23 The mercenary captains viewed this as a loophole and tried to take every advantage from it in their cruising, claiming every capture was legal under this phrase. Second, Washington provided no prize money for recaptures of American vessels. He would undertake to “recommend it to Such person to make a suitable Compensation to those who have done such a Service,”24 but no more than that. Both of these lapses were to have an immediate effect.

17 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 5

18 Commissioned 19 May 1775 in Glover*s Massachusetts Regiment.

19 NDAR, “George Washington*s Instructions to Captain Nicholson Broughton,” 1: 1287—1289

20 Ibid.

21 Ibid.

22 Ibid.

23 Ibid.

24 Ibid.

©awiatsea.com-posted August 2019 --5-- Continental Army Schooner Hannah sailing on patrol from Marblehead, Massachusetts. A modern painting by Nowland Van Powell. Hannah is a conjectural reconstruction based on typical vessels of the period. From Van Powell, The American Navies of the Revolutionary War, 23.

--6-- Broughton sailed from Beverly at 1000 on 5 September 1775, with a fair wind.25 The only eyewitness account we have of this momentous event is a short journal entry made that day by Ashley Bowen, a Marblehead sailmaker and chronicler of occurrences in his beloved community. The entry reads: “Sailed on an Unknown Experdishon a Schooner of Capt John Glovers Nick Broden Capt of Mereens and John Gail Mastor of Schooner.”26

She steered southeast keeping Halfway Rock to starboard.27 About 1700 Broughton saw two warships, which also sighted him and gave chase.28 These have been identified as HMS Lively and another warship.29 Hannah steered north towards Cape Ann. As daylight faded the British broke off the pursuit. At dawn Broughton sighted a large ship under his lee quarter,30 lying off Eastern Point,31 which immediately gave chase. Broughton took Hannah back into Cape Ann [Gloucester].32

By sunset, 6 September, there was no sign of the enemy, and Hannah sailed again, steering south. When dawn broke Broughton saw a large ship under his lee quarter. He stood away from her for the land but there was no pursuit, so Hannah came about and ran down toward the ship, discovering that she was unarmed. Broughton came up to her and hailed, asking from whence she had come. He was told she was from the Piscataqua River, bound for Boston. “I told him he must bear away and go into Cape Ann, but being very loth, I told him if he did not, I should fire on him, on that he bore away . . .”33 The prize sailed into Gloucester, followed by the Hannah.

At Gloucester a boarding officer was cooly received, treated as “I would rather have expected from a polite Enemy than a Friend to our Cause as Americans . . .,” Broughton later wrote.34 Broughton

25 NDAR, “Captain Nicholson Broughton to George Washington,” 2: 36

26 “Birthplace of the American Navy,” Online.

27 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 7

28 NDAR, “Captain Nicholson Broughton to George Washington,” 2: 36

29 Macy, Hannah and Nautilus, 9

30 NDAR, “Captain Nicholson Broughton to George Washington,” 2: 36

31 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 7

32 NDAR, “Captain Nicholson Broughton to George Washington,” 2: 36

33 NDAR, “Captain Nicholson Broughton to George Washington,” 2: 36

34 NDAR, “Captain Nicholson Broughton to George Washington,” 2: 56-57

©awiatsea.com-posted August 2019 --7-- Modern paiting by Gilkerson showing HM Frigate Lively firing on Hannah on 5 September 1775.

--8-- discovered his prize was a recapture. She was the ship Unity35 (Flagg),36 26037 or 300 tons,38 owned by John Langdon39 of New Hampshire, a delegate to the Continental Congress from that colony. Unity had sailed for the West Indies on 5 September 1775, with a cargo of fish, beef,40 and lumber,41 and had been captured by HM Frigate Lively (Captain Thomas Bishop), a few miles from Thatcher’s Island. A midshipman and six sailors were sent aboard her to take her into Boston.42

Broughton delivered the prisoners into the care of the Gloucester Committee of Safety, and asked the committee to forward them to Washington at Cambridge. The master of the ship was also forwarded to camp for examination. Broughton declared to Washington that he would sail again immediately.43

Broughton, however, did not sail. Either he was suspicious of the Unity and her master, or he was disturbed over the possible loss of prize money. He made a minute examination of the cargo. On 9 September he wrote to Washington, pointing out the cool treatment received by the boarding officer, the excess (in Broughton’s opinion) quantities of fish, provisions, and lumber aboard, and charging that the Unity had been intended for Boston, rather than the West Indies. He suggested moving the ship to Beverly, as a more secure harbor. Perhaps to excuse his delay in port, Broughton explained that his first lieutenant (Glover) had been accidentally wounded.44

The same day that Broughton dispatched his opinion that John Langdon’s ship was trading with the enemy, the prisoners (a midshipman and six or eight sailors) and her master arrived at camp.45 At Cambridge, Flagg had been examined and the prize crew sent to prison. It did not take long to

35 NDAR, “George Washington to John Langdon,” 2: 169 and note

36 NDAR, “Thomas Thompson to John Langdon,” 2: 277 and note

37 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 8

38 NDAR, “Boston Gazette, Monday, September 11, 1775,” 2: 75 and notes

39 NDAR, “George Washington to John Langdon,” 2: 169 and note

40 NDAR, “Essex Journal, Friday, September 8, 1775,” 2: 45 and note

41 NDAR, “Captain Nicholson Broughton to George Washington,” 2: 56-57; “Boston Gazette, Monday, September 11, 1775,” 2: 75 and notes

42 NDAR, “Essex Journal, Friday, September 8, 1775,” 2: 45 and note; “Boston Gazette, Monday, September 11, 1775,” 2: 75 and notes. The second paper says six to eight sailors. The location of the capture is established by the “Journal of H.M.S. Lively, Captain Thomas Bishop,” in NDAR, 2: 19 and note. However the specific incident referred to there is the capture of a brig (not a ship) with a prize crew of a petty officer (not a midshipman) and three sailors (not six or eight).

43 NDAR, “Captain Nicholson Broughton to George Washington,” 2: 36

44 NDAR, “Captain Nicholson Broughton to George Washington,” 2: 56-57

45 NDAR, “Boston Gazette, Monday, September 11, 1775,” 2: 75 and notes

©awiatsea.com-posted August 2019 --9-- determine Unity’s status and she was ordered released to an agent of John Langdon’s. By 21 September Washington was able to inform Langdon that he had ordered the ship given up to Langdon’s agent. He recommended a reward for Broughton, Glover and Devereaux, and “I should have done the same thing in behalf of the Men . . . but for their exceeding ill behaviour upon that occasion—I was obliged to send for, and bring them here Prisoners instead of prosecuting a scheme I had in view with the people of Hallifax, & I hope to bestow a reward of a different kind upon them for their Mutinous behaviour. . .”46

When Langdon’s agent arrived in Cape Ann with the order from Washington to restore the Unity, a wave of resentment swept over the crew. They had envisioned prize money. Joseph Searle, a private in Broughton’s company and thus presumably acquainted with the captain, headed a delegation to protest the return of the ship. Searle’s objections became vehement and he was arrested. Twelve more men rushed to free their shipmate from the warrant officers. Broughton ordered them arrested too. The arms chest was broken open and weapons handed out. The rest of the crew came on deck. Searle was freed and the armed crew defied Broughton and the officers.47

The Gloucester Committee of Safety sent off an express to headquarters, asking for help. Washington sent a detachment to seize the mutineers. As soon as the troops arrived the disorder ceased. A little time to think may have helped. The men were disarmed and thirty-six arrested and marched off to Cambridge for trial. A letter from Cambridge on 14 September reported that “The Rascals are brought down here, and I hope they will meet their deserts.”48

The mutinous crew was convicted by courts-martial and sentenced on 21 September. Joseph Searle, the ring-leader was sentenced to thirty-nine lashes and to be drummed out of the army, thirteen other men were sentenced to twenty lashes and to be drummed out of the army, and twenty-two more were sentenced to be fined twenty shillings. Three of the latter group were exempted as “being proper objects of mercy.” The sentence was to be carried out on 23 September.49 In the event only one man was whipped: the ringleader, Joseph Searle.50

Hannah now lay at Gloucester, nearly unmanned. More soldiers were ordered aboard from Glover’s Marblehead regiment, or perhaps most of the mutinous crew was returned to the schooner. By the end of September Hannah was ready to sail again.51

46 NDAR, “George Washington to John Langdon,” 2: 169 and note

47 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 9-10. Clark cites the Boston Gazette of 18 September 1775 and the “Journal of Phineas Ingalls” in the Historical Collections of the Essex Institute, LI2: 87.

48 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 10

49 NDAR, “General Orders of George Washington,” 2: 175-176

50 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 10

51 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 10-11

©awiatsea.com-posted August 2019 --10-- Broughton began to make a few tentative patrols toward the end of the month. He would sail in the morning and return to Marblehead in the evening. Seldom did he venture to windward of Baker’s Island.52 Perhaps there was still discontent in the crew over the mutiny and loss of the prize.

Unity was still at Cape Ann on 3 October, when Langdon’s agent received a letter from Flagg. The Committee of Safety wished him to take the ship to sea, or at least move to Beverly, as a safer place. Not from the enemy, but from the “resentment” of the town, presumably a “resentment” over her release and the punishment handed out to Hannah’s crew. Thompson told Flagg to stay put unless he was forced to move. Further, it was up to the Committee of Safety to preserve ship and cargo. Thompson advised Langdon of the situation.53

Broughton sailed again on the night of 6 October 1775. By dawn he was some ten miles northeast of Boston. A vessel was sighted in the distance and chased: a small transport coming from Newfoundland to Boston. The transport got into Nantasket Road before Hannah came up. Broughton fired four shots at her at long range and then stood north.54

The lieutenant commanding the transport reported to Admiral Graves. Graves surmised the raider was the schooner Diligent, captured at Machias. In any case Graves ordered HM Sloop Nautilus to sea, on 8 October, to seek out the “Rebels,” and return to Nantasket Road in eight days.55 Nautilus was a 316-ton ship rigged vessel, armed with sixteen 6-pounder cannon, commanded by Commander John Collins.56 Nautilus sailed at 1000 on 8 October, steering northeast towards Cape Ann under a fresh gale.Two days later Nautilus was laying to, five miles southeast of Halfway Rock.57

Broughton and Hannah had sortied twice on 9 October to chase passing vessels, to no particular luck. On 10 October he sailed again. According to the Journal of Ashley Bowen, Broughton sailed out at 1100 and sailed as far as Halfway Rock. About 1300 Broughton sighted another British warship, HM Sloop Nautilus. He immediately reversed course and steered for home.58

Two days later Broughton was returning from his patrol,59 coming in between Baker’s Island and

52 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 11; also NDAR, “Vice Admiral Samuel Graves to Philip Stephens,” 2: 371-373; “Narrative of Vice Admiral Samuel Graves,” 2: 362 and note

53 NDAR, “Thomas Thompson to John Langdon,” 2: 277 and note

54 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 11

55 NDAR, “Narrative of Vice Admiral Samuel Graves,” 2: 362 and note

56 Winfield, 275

57 Nelson, George Washington’s Secret Navy, 115

58 Nelson, George Washington’s Secret Navy, 115

59 NDAR, “Captain John Collins, R.N., to Vice Admiral Samuel Graves,” 2: 417-418

©awiatsea.com-posted August 2019 --11-- Little Misery Island.60 She was sighted by the Nautilus, apparently standing in for Salem, and Collins began a hot pursuit of the Hannah.61 Broughton sighted Nautilus about five miles east by south of Halfway Rock, standing north. Collins steered west, making for Beverly.62 Broughton, unable to make Beverly, ran the schooner aground in a small cove, Beverly Cove, just outside Beverly Harbor.63 Nautilus came in as near as possible, within gunshot range but not close enough to fire grapeshot, and began firing at the Hannah. Broughton and his crew abandoned ship and Collins decided to send in boats to burn the schooner. By now Nautilus had been stranded aground by the ebbing tide.64

Figure 7: Old map of Beverly Harbor.

The locals assembled and began stripping the schooner, taking her guns, rigging, and stores ashore. The militia from Salem and Beverly assembled ashore, and returned fire on the Nautilus.65 According to Collins a “smart fire of Musquetry and Swivels took place . . .”66 For between two and three

60 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 11

61 NDAR, “Captain John Collins, R.N., to Vice Admiral Samuel Graves,” 2: 417-418

62 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 12

63 NDAR, “New England Chronicle, Thursday, September 28 to Thursday, October 12, 1775,” 2: 416 and note; “Narrative of Vice Admiral Samuel Graves,” 2: 438-440.

64 NDAR, “Captain John Collins, R.N., to Vice Admiral Samuel Graves,” 2: 417-418; “Narrative of Vice Admiral Samuel Graves,” 2: 438-440

65 NDAR, “New England Chronicle, Thursday, September 28 to Thursday, October 12, 1775,” 2: 416 and note

66 NDAR, “Captain John Collins, R.N., to Vice Admiral Samuel Graves,” 2: 417-418

©awiatsea.com-posted August 2019 --12-- hours the British vessel was subjected to a “warm and well directed Fire.”67 Soon after three cannon were brought down to Salem Neck and opened fire on the Nautilus. The cannon were so well placed that Collins could not effectively return fire.68

Newer map indicating Beverly Cove.

The local militia began to make preparations to board the Nautilus, but, about 2000 the tide rose, floating the British warship.69 Collins thought it was time to leave. The wind blowing ashore it was necessary to cut the anchor cable. Nautilus finally made off.70

The Americans had one casualty, a man whose hand was blown off by his own cannon,71 and Hannah was only slightly damaged. One or two buildings in Beverly were hit.72 One unintended casualty was Broughton, who took a “bad Cold.”73 Nautilus was hit many times in the sails and rigging and took about twenty shots in her hull and hammocks. One gun was dismounted and a swivel gun destroyed. Two men were wounded,74 one apparently mortally.75

67 NDAR, “New England Chronicle, Thursday, September 28 to Thursday, October 12, 1775,” 2: 416 and note

68 NDAR, “Captain John Collins, R.N., to Vice Admiral Samuel Graves,” 2: 417-418

69 NDAR, “New England Chronicle, Thursday, September 28 to Thursday, October 12, 1775,” 2: 416 and note

70 NDAR, “Captain John Collins, R.N., to Vice Admiral Samuel Graves,” 2: 417-418

71 Clark, George Washington’s Navy, 13

72 NDAR, “New England Chronicle, Thursday, September 28 to Thursday, October 12, 1775,” 2: 416 and note

73 NDAR, “Colonel John Glover to George Washington,” 2: 459-461

74 NDAR, “Captain John Collins, R.N., to Vice Admiral Samuel Graves,” 2: 417-418; “Narrative of Vice Admiral Samuel Graves,” 2: 438-440

75 NDAR, “Diary of Lieutenant John Barker,” 2: 571 and note

©awiatsea.com-posted August 2019 --13-- Hannah was apparently hauled in to Beverly, where she remained, with a sprung keel. Broughton was transferred to another of the Army schooners. Hannah was discharged about 6 November 1775 from Army pay.

©awiatsea.com-posted August 2019 --14--