jun 10, 1772 - Gaspee Affair
Description:
The HMS Gaspee was a boat that enforced the Navigation Acts in the colonies, with Parliament stressing that it was necessary to pay off debt accumulated during the Seven Years' War. In early June 1772, the Gaspee was chasing around another boat, but ran aground in Warwick, RI. The Sons of Liberty, angry at the boat and crew for collecting taxes, burned the Gaspee and wounded Lieutenant William Dudingston, who was commanding the Gaspee. The attackers were charged with treason and the Royal Commission of Inquiry (chief justices of Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York) was tasked to collect evidence to have them tried in England. However, they could not find enough and the charges were dropped. Nevertheless, this shocked colonists, including the Reverend John Allen, who preached about the dangers of the monarchy and corruption in the English government. The event pushed Patriots into action, leading them to protest further about taxation.
Added to timeline:
US History Timeline
An outline of major events from (mostly early) US history.
...
Date:
Images:
![]()
