Everything about The Continental Marines totally explained
The
Continental Marines were the
Marine force of the
American Colonies during
American Revolutionary War. The corps was formed by the
Continental Congress in
November 10,
1775 and was disbanded in 1783. Their mission was multi-purpose, but their most important duty was to serve as on-board security forces, protecting the Captain of a ship and his officers. During naval engagements Marine
sharpshooters were stationed in the fighting tops of the ships' masts, and were supposed to shoot the opponent's officers,
naval gunners, and helmsmen.
History
In accordance with the Continental Marine Act of 1775, the
Congress decreed
The Continental Marines' first and only
Commandant was Captain
Samuel Nicholas and the first Marine Barracks were located in Philadelphia. The first recruiting station was a bar called
Tun Tavern. Four additional Marine Security Companies were also raised and helped
George Washington defend
Philadelphia.
The Marines were used to conduct amphibious landings and raids during the
American Revolution. They landed twice in
Nassau, in the
Bahamas, to seize naval stores from the
British. The
first landing, led by Captain Samuel Nicholas, consisted of 250 Marines and sailors who landed in
New Providence, in the
Bahamas; there they wreaked much damage and seized naval stores. The second landing, led by a Lieutenant Trevet, landed at night and captured several ships along with the naval stores.
Continental Marines landed and captured Nautilus Island and the Majabagaduce peninsula in the Penobscot Expedition. A Marine battalion also fought alongside the
Continental Army in the
Battle of Princeton. A group under Navy Captain James Willing left Pittsburgh, traveled down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, captured a ship and in conjunction with other Continental Marines brought by ship from the Gulf of Mexico raided British Loyalists on the shore of
Lake Ponchartrain.
Timeline
1775, November 10th: The Continental Marines are created
1776, March: Nicholas' Marines land on New Providence Island, Bahamas. In 13 days they secure 2 forts, occupy Nassau, control the Government House, seize 88 guns, 16,535 shells and other supplies. Returning from the raid, they encountered a British ship. Marines engaged the ship with muskets and assisted in manning the broadside cannon.
1776, December: Nicholas' Marines assist Washington's Army in the Second Battle of Trenton (the first recorded joint Army-Marine engagement). Later that spring, Washington incorporated some of the Marines in to artillery units of his reorganized Army
1778, January: A Marine detachment sails down the Mississippi River and secures New Orleans to keep British traders out.
1778, April: A Marine detachment nominally under the command of John Paul Jones makes two raids on British soil.
1783, January: Marines board and seize the British ship Baille in the West Indies
1785, June: After the end of the American Revolutionary War (Jan, 1783), the Alliance is sold. The Continental Marines go out of existence, along with the Continental Navy.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Continental Marines'.
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