Podcast
Questions and Answers
What position did Esek Hopkins hold in the U.S. Navy?
What position did Esek Hopkins hold in the U.S. Navy?
- Lead medic
- Head recruiter
- Chief strategist
- First commander (correct)
In what present-day state was Esek Hopkins born?
In what present-day state was Esek Hopkins born?
- Connecticut
- New York
- Rhode Island (correct)
- Massachusetts
What was the name of Esek Hopkins' brother?
What was the name of Esek Hopkins' brother?
- John Hopkins
- Stephen Hopkins (correct)
- William Hopkins
- Samuel Hopkins
What role did Esek Hopkins' brother play in the Continental Congress?
What role did Esek Hopkins' brother play in the Continental Congress?
Before the American Revolution, what was Esek Hopkins' profession?
Before the American Revolution, what was Esek Hopkins' profession?
In what conflict did Esek Hopkins command a privateer?
In what conflict did Esek Hopkins command a privateer?
Besides being a captain, what other military rank did Esek Hopkins hold in Rhode Island?
Besides being a captain, what other military rank did Esek Hopkins hold in Rhode Island?
What type of ships initially comprised the Continental Navy's fleet under Hopkins?
What type of ships initially comprised the Continental Navy's fleet under Hopkins?
What was the initial destination for Hopkins' fleet according to the Naval Committee's orders?
What was the initial destination for Hopkins' fleet according to the Naval Committee's orders?
What delayed Hopkins' fleet from carrying out its initial mission?
What delayed Hopkins' fleet from carrying out its initial mission?
What location did Hopkins' fleet attack on 17 February 1776?
What location did Hopkins' fleet attack on 17 February 1776?
What did Hopkins' fleet successfully capture in Nassau?
What did Hopkins' fleet successfully capture in Nassau?
Who else did Hopkins' fleet capture during the attack on Nassau?
Who else did Hopkins' fleet capture during the attack on Nassau?
What designation was given to the amphibious assault led by the U.S. Marines and Sailors?
What designation was given to the amphibious assault led by the U.S. Marines and Sailors?
What British vessel did Hopkins' fleet fail to capture?
What British vessel did Hopkins' fleet fail to capture?
Who defended Hopkins after he received criticism?
Who defended Hopkins after he received criticism?
What action did Congress take against Hopkins on 16 August 1776?
What action did Congress take against Hopkins on 16 August 1776?
When was Hopkins dismissed from the Navy?
When was Hopkins dismissed from the Navy?
What did Hopkins do after he was dismissed from the Navy?
What did Hopkins do after he was dismissed from the Navy?
In what city did Hopkins retire and eventually die?
In what city did Hopkins retire and eventually die?
Flashcards
Who was Esek Hopkins?
Who was Esek Hopkins?
Esek Hopkins was the first commander of the U.S. Navy.
Who was Stephen Hopkins?
Who was Stephen Hopkins?
Stephen Hopkins was a member of the Naval Committee of the Continental Congress.
What was Esek Hopkins' occupation before the American Revolution?
What was Esek Hopkins' occupation before the American Revolution?
Prior to the American Revolution, Hopkins worked a sea captain and merchant adventurer
When was Esek Hopkins appointed?
When was Esek Hopkins appointed?
Signup and view all the flashcards
The Continental Navy's fleet initially consisted of?
The Continental Navy's fleet initially consisted of?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What were the initial orders to Esek Hopkins?
What were the initial orders to Esek Hopkins?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What did Hopkins' fleet do in Nassau in 1776?
What did Hopkins' fleet do in Nassau in 1776?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Why was Hopkins censured?
Why was Hopkins censured?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What happened to Hopkins after the censure?
What happened to Hopkins after the censure?
Signup and view all the flashcards
When did Hopkins die?
When did Hopkins die?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
- Esek Hopkins lived from April 26, 1718, to February 26, 1802.
- Hopkins was the first commander of the U.S. Navy.
- He was born in Scituate, Rhode Island.
- Stephen Hopkins, Esek's brother, was a member of the Naval Committee of the Continental Congress.
- Prior to the American Revolution, Hopkins worked as a sea captain and merchant adventurer.
- During the French and Indian War (1754-1760), he commanded a privateer.
- At the start of the American Revolution, Hopkins was appointed a captain and brigadier general in the Rhode Island forces.
- On November 5, 1775, the Naval Committee appointed Hopkins Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy’s fleet.
- The fleet consisted of eight merchant ships altered as men of war in Philadelphia.
- On January 5, 1776, Hopkins received sailing orders to proceed to Chesapeake Bay and engage the British fleet, if wind and weather permitted.
- If successful in Chesapeake Bay, he was to sail to Rhode Island and attack British forces there.
- The fleet assembled in the Delaware River, but ice delayed the mission until February 17.
- On February 17, 1776, Hopkins sailed for Nassau in the Bahamas.
- Hopkins' fleet attacked a British colony in Nassau, successfully capturing a large number of guns and ammunition.
- The fleet also captured the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
- This was the first amphibious assault by the U.S. Marines and Sailors.
- The fleet captured two British vessels but failed to capture the Glasgow.
- John Hancock congratulated Hopkins on the spirit and bravery shown during the expedition.
- Hopkins received criticism for failing to capture the Glasgow and was accused of disobeying orders.
- John Adams defended Hopkins, but Congress still censured him on August 16, 1776.
- He was suspended on March 26, 1777, and dismissed from the Navy on January 2, 1778.
- Hopkins continued to serve on the Rhode Island General Assembly through 1786.
- Hopkins died on his farm in Providence, Rhode Island, on February 26, 1802.
Additional Resources Mentioned
- The U.S. Navy's Jack.
- Officers of the Continental Navy and Marine Corps.
- The Revolutionary War 1775-1783.
Ships Named After Esek Hopkins
- Hopkins I (DD-6).
- Hopkins II (SP-3294).
- Hopkins III (DD-249).
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Esek Hopkins was the first commander of the U.S. Navy, appointed in 1775. Prior to his naval command, Hopkins was a sea captain, merchant, and privateer. He played a crucial role in the early stages of the American Revolution.
