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In an act of defiance against the Navigation Acts, American colonists led by Abraham Whipple (pictured) attacked and burned the British schooner Gaspee.
Related Wikipedia articles
Navigation Acts
United Kingdom legislation
The Navigation Acts, or more broadly the Acts of Trade and Navigation, were a series of English laws that developed, promoted, and regulated English ships, shipping, trade, and commerce with other countries and with its own colonies. The laws also regulated England's fisheries…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Abraham Whipple
Continental Navy officer, pioneer to the Ohio Country
Commander Abraham Whipple was an American naval officer best known for his service in the Continental Navy during the Revolutionary War and being one of the founders of Marietta, Ohio. Born near Providence, Colony of Rhode Island, Whipple chose to be a seafarer early in his life…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Schooner
Sailing vessel
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel defined by its fore-and-aft rig on all of two or more masts and the foremast generally being shorter than the mainmast. The most common variants are gaff-rigged and staysail schooners, with the topsail schooner carrying a square topsail on…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Gaspee affair
1772 burning of a British navy schooner
The Gaspee affair was a significant event in the lead-up to the American Revolution. HMS Gaspee was a Royal Navy revenue schooner that enforced the Navigation Acts around Newport, Rhode Island, in 1772. It ran aground in shallow water while chasing the packet boat Hannah on June…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)