jun 9, 1772 - The Gaspee Incident
Description:
SUMMARY: One ill-fated customs ship, the Gaspee, was burnt to ashes by angry Rhode Islanders when the unfortunate vessel ran aground.DETAILS:
Lieutenant Duddington, of the ship Gaspee, was charged with patrolling the waters off of Rhode Island.
Duddington & the Gaspee were baited into shallow waters near Warwick. A party of fifty-five soon arrived, planning an attack on the ship. They surrounded and boarded the Gaspee, capturing the entire crew, and the ship was looted and burned. Though the identities of the perpetrators were widely known, no arrest was ever made.
The burning of the Gaspee is celebrated in Rhode Island as an important early strike against the tyranny of the crown !!
Added to timeline:
Date:
jun 9, 1772
Now
~ 254 years ago