Battle of Machias

The Battle of Machias in June 1775 was one of the first naval engagements of the Revolutionary War and a remarkable example of colonial initiative. British merchant vessels under the protection of the armed schooner HMS Margaretta arrived at Machias requesting lumber for British army barracks in Boston. When the British captain learned that locals had seized one of his merchant vessels, he opened fire on the town.

Local men under lumber merchant Jeremiah O'Brien commandeered the remaining merchant sloop and gave chase to the Margaretta. Using only muskets, pitchforks, axes, and a single small cannon, O'Brien's crew caught the British vessel after a running fight. British commander James Moore was mortally wounded along with three sailors. Several of O'Brien's men were also casualties.

The captured Margaretta became one of the first prizes of the American naval war. O'Brien's success inspired him to continue commerce raiding and he became one of the most successful American naval commanders of the early war. The Massachusetts Provincial Congress recognized his service and authorized continued operations. The battle demonstrated that even poorly armed civilian sailors could take on Royal Navy vessels — a harbinger of the devastating impact American privateers would have on British commerce throughout the war, eventually capturing or sinking hundreds of vessels.