The first naval capture of the American Revolutionary War, boosting Colonial morale and strengthening the siege of Boston.
Key Facts
- Dates
- May 27–28, 1775
- British vessel destroyed
- Armed schooner Diana
- First naval capture
- First naval capture of the Revolutionary War
- Campaign
- Boston campaign, American Revolutionary War
- Colonial objective
- Remove livestock and hay from British reach
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the siege of Boston in 1775, British forces relied on islands in Boston Harbor for livestock and forage. Colonial commanders sought to deny these resources to the British garrison, prompting a military operation to clear Noddle's Island and Hog Island of animals and hay before British regulars could exploit them.
On May 27–28, 1775, Colonial forces drove livestock off the harbor islands and clashed with British troops and vessels on Chelsea Creek and surrounding salt marshes. The engagement culminated in the destruction of the British armed schooner Diana, whose cannon and arms were seized by Colonial fighters.
The colonists successfully stripped the islands of resources useful to the British, tightening the siege of Boston. The capture and destruction of Diana marked the first naval seizure of the war, providing a significant morale boost to Colonial forces and demonstrating their capacity to contest British naval superiority in the harbor.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent