First Naval Battle 2016
The SAR Events First to Last
I learned of the “action at Machias” through the regular listing of National Color Guard Events in the NSSAR Guardsmen. Many call the “action at Machias” The First Naval Battle of the Revolutionary War, it took place June 11-12 of 1775. (a Battle off Fairhaven also makes note it is the first naval engagement of the American Revolutionary War. It took place on May 14, 1775, in Buzzards Bay off Fairhaven, Massachusetts.) At any rate The United States Navy Blue Jacket Manual (and Machias residents) call the Machias encounter the first Naval battle of the American Revolution. I wanted to go to Machias. To be sure I had a way of making contact for the event I asked President General, Thomas Lawrence, if he could hook me up with someone for making the event connections. He in turn emailed, New England, Regional Vice President General, Doug Wood and myself in a mutual email and wished us well. Doug was a very knowledgeable and gracious host for the event. He provided all information for lodging, eating, locations and time of events. Shortly after arriving Friday evening, my wife Dot and I were invited to supper with MASSAR 1st V.P.; Chaplain, Garrett Lear and his wife Kathi, along with Doug Wood and his wife Linda. Supper was at the famous, Helen’s (Blue Berry Pie) Restaurant. Helen’s is also known for its fantastic Sea food dinners. We enjoyed both fine food and company that evening.
Our first activity consisted of a Saturday Morning Wreath Laying at the Tablet and Stone located at the Court House. The tablet notes “The First Naval Battle of the American Revolution on June 12, 1775 a gallant Force of Machias Men led by Capt. Jeremiah O’Brien in the Sloop “Unity” pursued and captured the British Sloop of War “Margaretta” in Machias Bay.” The Margaretta was in the area for other things but also with the thought of loading up with lumber to take to Boston to build barracks for the British forces. The story is larger than these few words so please pursue looking it up. There is a good account in the April 16 issue of the SAR Guardsman. This Machias wreath laying is a big community event. It is also designated as the local school’s last school day and large groups of Children walk to the Court House to attend. The Group present for making the Wreath Presentation included Regional VPG Doug Wood, MESSAR president Wayne Millar, NHSSAR,MASSAR States Chaplin, Pastor Garrett Lear, FL State Color Guard Commander, Charlie Day, Maine Representative, Will Tuell, Robert Coles, a WWII and Pearl Harbor Survivor and Ret. Navy Captain Wayne Peters.
At the end of the Wreath Laying the Presentation Group left from the Court House to meet the parade forming at Helen’s Restaurant on Main Street. The Daughters of the American Revolution, Children of the American Revolution, State and local dignitaries, community men, women and children were joining together to form the parade. Many of the town’s people have Machias ancestors that helped in some way with the capture of the HMS Margaretta. This is also true of New England SAR RVPG Doug Wood. The Parade march is down Main Street and across the Jeremiah O’Brien Memorial Bridge, then up the hill to University of Maine at Machias, (UMM) recreational field for festivities. There were a number of speakers through the afternoon, also vendors, crafts and stories. The “Hannah Weston, Revolutionary War Heroine” story is also part of the Machias action and worth your time to look up. Machias was also proclaimed A Military Friendly Community by the Maine Military & Community Network. There were many people of all ages in colonial dress. It was a fun afternoon and quickly passed. The fact that so many of the town’s people are involved in this celebration make it special. It is not celebrated at just one or two locations. We are also reminded that In James Fenimore Cooper’s History of the United States Navy he calls this capture of the Margaretta the “Lexington of the Sea.”
Saturday evening found several of us gathered again at Helen’s for supper, recounting the great times spent through the day. It was also time for me to bring up the fact that the Florida SAR celebrates The Last Naval Battle of the American Revolution in March each year. I told about Captain John Barry and his broadside fight with his ship the Alliance. I noted the story continues several days at sea but allows the Alliance to take on a valuable cargo of gold in a transfer on March 11, 1783. Then with smart maneuvering by Captain Berry, continues for a number more days, and on March 20, 1783, the Alliance sailed into New Port, Rhode Island with treasure to help the American Cause. “The Last Naval Battle of the American Revolutionary War” By: Compatriots Lindsey C. Brock, President Florida Society and Lindsey C. Brock III, Esq. Jacksonville Chapter, Florida Society, gives a good account of some very savy American naval actions at sea. I think what impressed me most about these outings was that the time from the First Naval Battle to the Last Naval Battle was about 7 years 9 months, started in Maine and ended off the Coast of Florida about 1624 miles apart. What history fell in between! I feel very fortunate that my wife Dot and I were able to attend both of these events this year. I encourage our Patriots, men and ladies, to take on a new event when the opportunity presents itself.
Thank You for the opportunity to share.
Charlie Day – Commander, The Florida Sons of Liberty Brigade
I learned of the “action at Machias” through the regular listing of National Color Guard Events in the NSSAR Guardsmen. Many call the “action at Machias” The First Naval Battle of the Revolutionary War, it took place June 11-12 of 1775. (a Battle off Fairhaven also makes note it is the first naval engagement of the American Revolutionary War. It took place on May 14, 1775, in Buzzards Bay off Fairhaven, Massachusetts.) At any rate The United States Navy Blue Jacket Manual (and Machias residents) call the Machias encounter the first Naval battle of the American Revolution. I wanted to go to Machias. To be sure I had a way of making contact for the event I asked President General, Thomas Lawrence, if he could hook me up with someone for making the event connections. He in turn emailed, New England, Regional Vice President General, Doug Wood and myself in a mutual email and wished us well. Doug was a very knowledgeable and gracious host for the event. He provided all information for lodging, eating, locations and time of events. Shortly after arriving Friday evening, my wife Dot and I were invited to supper with MASSAR 1st V.P.; Chaplain, Garrett Lear and his wife Kathi, along with Doug Wood and his wife Linda. Supper was at the famous, Helen’s (Blue Berry Pie) Restaurant. Helen’s is also known for its fantastic Sea food dinners. We enjoyed both fine food and company that evening.
Our first activity consisted of a Saturday Morning Wreath Laying at the Tablet and Stone located at the Court House. The tablet notes “The First Naval Battle of the American Revolution on June 12, 1775 a gallant Force of Machias Men led by Capt. Jeremiah O’Brien in the Sloop “Unity” pursued and captured the British Sloop of War “Margaretta” in Machias Bay.” The Margaretta was in the area for other things but also with the thought of loading up with lumber to take to Boston to build barracks for the British forces. The story is larger than these few words so please pursue looking it up. There is a good account in the April 16 issue of the SAR Guardsman. This Machias wreath laying is a big community event. It is also designated as the local school’s last school day and large groups of Children walk to the Court House to attend. The Group present for making the Wreath Presentation included Regional VPG Doug Wood, MESSAR president Wayne Millar, NHSSAR,MASSAR States Chaplin, Pastor Garrett Lear, FL State Color Guard Commander, Charlie Day, Maine Representative, Will Tuell, Robert Coles, a WWII and Pearl Harbor Survivor and Ret. Navy Captain Wayne Peters.
At the end of the Wreath Laying the Presentation Group left from the Court House to meet the parade forming at Helen’s Restaurant on Main Street. The Daughters of the American Revolution, Children of the American Revolution, State and local dignitaries, community men, women and children were joining together to form the parade. Many of the town’s people have Machias ancestors that helped in some way with the capture of the HMS Margaretta. This is also true of New England SAR RVPG Doug Wood. The Parade march is down Main Street and across the Jeremiah O’Brien Memorial Bridge, then up the hill to University of Maine at Machias, (UMM) recreational field for festivities. There were a number of speakers through the afternoon, also vendors, crafts and stories. The “Hannah Weston, Revolutionary War Heroine” story is also part of the Machias action and worth your time to look up. Machias was also proclaimed A Military Friendly Community by the Maine Military & Community Network. There were many people of all ages in colonial dress. It was a fun afternoon and quickly passed. The fact that so many of the town’s people are involved in this celebration make it special. It is not celebrated at just one or two locations. We are also reminded that In James Fenimore Cooper’s History of the United States Navy he calls this capture of the Margaretta the “Lexington of the Sea.”
Saturday evening found several of us gathered again at Helen’s for supper, recounting the great times spent through the day. It was also time for me to bring up the fact that the Florida SAR celebrates The Last Naval Battle of the American Revolution in March each year. I told about Captain John Barry and his broadside fight with his ship the Alliance. I noted the story continues several days at sea but allows the Alliance to take on a valuable cargo of gold in a transfer on March 11, 1783. Then with smart maneuvering by Captain Berry, continues for a number more days, and on March 20, 1783, the Alliance sailed into New Port, Rhode Island with treasure to help the American Cause. “The Last Naval Battle of the American Revolutionary War” By: Compatriots Lindsey C. Brock, President Florida Society and Lindsey C. Brock III, Esq. Jacksonville Chapter, Florida Society, gives a good account of some very savy American naval actions at sea. I think what impressed me most about these outings was that the time from the First Naval Battle to the Last Naval Battle was about 7 years 9 months, started in Maine and ended off the Coast of Florida about 1624 miles apart. What history fell in between! I feel very fortunate that my wife Dot and I were able to attend both of these events this year. I encourage our Patriots, men and ladies, to take on a new event when the opportunity presents itself.
Thank You for the opportunity to share.
Charlie Day – Commander, The Florida Sons of Liberty Brigade
These pictures were taken at the SAR, June 11, 2016 celebration of “action at Machias” event in Machias, Maine. Many call it the First Naval Battle of the Revolutionary War. This was in honor of the action of May 11-12 of 1775. Some 1,622 miles away and nearly 8 years after Machais, the last Naval Battle of the Revolutionary War took place on March 10 -11, 1783 off the coast of Florida, just south of Cape Canaveral.
