Something for you Navy folks: Commodore Esek Hopkins, first commander of the US flotilla

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 14:47:51 -0400

Imagine being the first Commander of the US navy, going off to war against the most powerful navy in the world in nothing more than some convert merchant ships? Now imagine a shocking raid, and than being blasted by Congress, betrayed by fellow officers, and finally relieved. That was short career as Commander of the flotilla.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esek_Hopkins

Esek Hopkins - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Commodore Esek Hopkins (April 26, 1718 – February 26, 1802) was the only Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. He was also an accomplished merchant captain and privateer.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Oct 8 at 2015 2:52 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 14:52:41 -0400

Thanks for Sharing!

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Oct 8 at 2015 2:53 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 14:53:42 -0400

CW3 Kevin Storm thanks for sharing this. I was in the Navy and didn't know about this guy.

Response by Sgt Jerry Genesio made Oct 8 at 2015 10:28 PM

Sgt Jerry Genesio — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 22:28:33 -0400

Commodore Dudley Saltonstall of MA was also relieved of duty during the American Revolution, but based on what I've read, he got off lightly. Saltonstall was responsible for the worst Naval disaster in US history prior to Pearl Harbor. He was Fleet Commander of the Penobscot Bay Expedition in 1779. Hundreds of men and 42 vessels were lost, and even the artillery officer, Colonel Paul Revere, was court-martialed. Very little has been written about it, and even less taught.