Nicholson Broughton

Nicholson Broughton. He was a Continental Navy officer during the American Revolutionary War, best known for commanding the first vessel authorized to act on behalf of the united colonies. A Marblehead sea captain, Broughton was appointed by George Washington to lead a small fleet tasked with intercepting British supply ships. His command of the USS ''Hannah'' marks a foundational moment in American naval history, though his later service was marred by controversy. His actions, particularly during the Raid on Charlottetown, led to his dismissal from service by the Commander-in-Chief.

Early life and background

Nicholson Broughton was born around 1724, likely in the prominent seafaring community of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Details of his early life are sparse, but he emerged as an experienced merchant captain in the years preceding the American Revolution. Like many in New England, his livelihood was deeply connected to the Atlantic trade and the Grand Banks fisheries. The growing tensions with Parliament and the Coercive Acts significantly impacted maritime commerce in ports like Boston and Salem. By 1775, Broughton was a respected figure in Marblehead, a town that would provide many sailors and vessels to the nascent Continental Navy and the Marine Committee.

Revolutionary War service

Following the outbreak of hostilities at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, George Washington took command of the Continental Army besieging British forces in Boston. Recognizing the need to disrupt enemy supply lines, Washington sought to commission armed vessels. In September 1775, he personally selected Nicholson Broughton for this critical task, issuing him a commission from his headquarters in Cambridge. This appointment was part of Washington's broader strategy to secure munitions and provisions for the Siege of Boston. Broughton's initial orders were to capture enemy transports and seize cargoes of arms and powder, operating under the authority of the Continental Congress and its Naval Committee.

Command of the Hannah

Broughton's first and most historically significant command was the USS ''Hannah'', a 78-ton schooner outfitted with four guns and owned by John Glover's regimental company from Marblehead. The Hannah is often considered the first vessel of what would become the United States Navy. It sailed from Beverly on September 5, 1775, and captured the British sloop HMS ''Unity'' shortly thereafter. However, Broughton's effectiveness was limited; the Hannah was itself captured by the British warship HMS ''Lively'' in October, though it was later retaken. Broughton was then given command of the schooner USS ''Hancock'' and joined a small squadron under Captain John Manley. His participation in the controversial October 1775 seizure of the sloop HMS ''Industry'' and the subsequent raid on Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island, which involved the improper capture of neutral vessels and a prominent civilian, led to his recall and court-martial.

Later life and legacy

Following an investigation, George Washington dismissed Nicholson Broughton from the service in late 1775 for "plundering" and conduct unbecoming an officer, a decision upheld by the Continental Congress. He returned to private life in Marblehead, where he lived until his death in 1798. Despite the ignominious end to his military career, Broughton holds a permanent place in American naval history for his pioneering role. The USS ''Hannah'' is commemorated as the first armed vessel to sail under continental authority, a direct precursor to the Continental Navy established by the Founding Fathers later that year. His service, however brief, helped establish the maritime dimension of the Revolutionary War effort and demonstrated the strategic use of naval power to General Washington and the Second Continental Congress.

Category:Continental Navy officers Category:People from Marblehead, Massachusetts Category:American privateers Category:1724 births Category:1798 deaths