Sloop Providence’s First Journey to New Providence: The first Marine amphibious landing on foreign soil

05 Mar Sloop Providence’s First Journey to New Providence: The first Marine amphibious landing on foreign soil

This week for #TallShipTuesday, Midshipman Alexander Morgan regaled us with their experience on Providence as she unloaded Marines on the beaches of Nassau. Their mission was to take the Fort and capture gun powder. Providence and three other of the smaller ships were loaded up with Marines from all the other ships in the Continental Navy’s fleet. In a daring plan, Hopkins sent these ships because they were able to sail in closest to land. This action is known as the first Marine amphibious landing on foreign soil by the United States, 248 years ago this week.

Providence was one of several ships in the fleet. Some of the ships involved include Alfred, where John Paul Jones served as a lieutenant at that time. Columbus was the other frigate in the fleet, with providence’s old captain Abraham Whipple. Brigantines Cabbot and Andrew Doria as well as Schooner Wasp made their way with the rest of the fleet as well. They were well armed and prepared to fight, but knew that without a good strategy, it would be hard to take Fort Nassau. Ultimately with a staged attack on Fort Nassau where the fleet tacked at the last minute and sailed to the other side of the island and the marine amphibious landing to fight their way across the island, the mission was a success.

This tale was adapted from a series of letters from those with an important stake in the events that unfolded. The main source of inspiration? John Brown, the original owner of Providence, and his letter that you can read below.