On this Day: Marines Gather Intel at Penobscot Bay

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Marines Gather Intel at Penobscot Bay

During the American Revolution, the Continental Navy and Continental Marines successfully seized or destroyed British naval vessels sailing between New York and modern-day Canada. Each victory took a toll on the British, and it had an impact on their logistics and supply lines to troops in the colonies. The relentless attacks forced the British to add warships to shipping convoys for protection. The British were spread thin and using additional ships to help protect supply vessels opened further weaknesses.

Britain needed a fort on the North American continent to provide a closer resupply and repair point. They had their eyes on the coast of Maine. This area of North America had multiple benefits:

  1. It was between Nova Scotia and New York, where many attacks were taking place.

  2. Maine has many giant river mouths along its coastline to support naval vessels.

  3. Maine had many British loyalists throughout the population, and

  4. The colonies used the Maine forest to gather lumber for their ships, firewood, and other construction.

London passed down their orders to the commander of military forces in Nova Scotia, Brigadier General Francis McLean. On June 12th, 1779, British vessels Blonde, North, Nautilus, Albany, and the Hope arrived in Penobscot Bay. Six days later, Reverend John Murray sent a letter to the Massachusetts Bay Council, estimating that an army between 873 – 1,500 men landed in Maine. It wasn't clear what the British were doing, but the Americans understood it was big.

The Navy Board prepared the frigate Warren, the sloop Providence, and the Diligent to help. The Massachusetts Navy supplied three vessels, the Tyrannicide, Hazard, and the Active. The state also hired twelve privateers to help. All ships were short-staffed, and the Navy needed sailors and Marines for this mission - the Warren needed one hundred men alone.

The plan was to supplement Continental and State Marines with up to 1,500 militiamen. 433 men volunteered to help, but many lacked the qualities for an ideal Marine. Adjutant General Jeremiah Hill summed it up with, "some sent boys, old men, and invalids." Other militias fell short as well, and the Marines fulfilled only 873 of the 1,500 slots. The U.S. had a problem - if they waited until they had 1,500 men, the British would have the time needed to finish the fort. They had to strike now with the men they had or risk the British completing their defense.

On July 24th, the Continental fleet set sail and, that same night, anchored off the mouth of the Penobscot Bay. Fleet Commander, Commodore Dudley Saltonstall, instructed the Tyrannicide and the Hazard to serve as scout vessels, and they took the lead as the fleet approached. Two small boats with Marines were sent to shore and spoke with the residents. The first boat returned with three locals, and the second came back with Captain Mitchell, a resident of Belfast and very knowledgeable of the area. Mitchell's help provided the U.S. with gaps in Britain's defenses, and the fleet decided to make their move in the morning. As day broke on July 25th, the U.S. fleet advanced towards the Bagaduce River.

Hear about the battle in Episode 25, The Penobscot Expedition - Part 1.

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