jun 9, 1772 - The Gaspee Affair
Description:
The HMS Gaspee and her captain, Lt. William Dudingston, were sent by King George III to Rhode Island waters to enforce the trade laws and to prevent smuggling. They were unpopular with the colonists because William often delayed shipping by harassing boats that had already been properly inspected. Because of this, on June 9, the packet boat Hannah left Newport for Providence with her captain's intention to lure Gaspee across the shallows of Namquid Point, leaving the ship stuck on a sandbar and unable to move. The captain succeeded and when he arrived in Providence, he told one of the most prominent merchants in Rhode Island, John Brown, what he had done. John Brown then told a town crier, who asked everyone who was interested to meet up in order to discuss how they would destroy Gaspee. A group of patriots united and rowed out to Gaspee in eight longboats, where they took Dudingston and his crew as prisoners and sent them to Pawtuxet Village. The next morning, Rhode Islanders burned down Gaspee. The feeling the colonists got from uniting in order to take down the Gaspee made them feel like if everyone came together, they could fight the injustices thrusted upon them by the British.
Added to timeline:
The Road to Revolution
By: Christina Connor and Kaylee Reyes
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