On June 12, 1775, about two miles offshore near Round Island, the first naval battle of the American Revolution took place, the first armed naval combat between Americans and a foreign power, and for that reason the United States Navy considers Machias one of the birthplaces of the U.S. Navy. Captain Ichabod Jones, a leading citizen of the town, had been allowed by British Admiral Graves to bring provisions from Boston in his vessel, the Unity, on condition that he return with lumber needed by the British army for barracks construction, and to ensure the arrangement he was accompanied by the small tender Margaretta, commanded by Midshipman Moore. The town, badly needing provisions and under the guns of the tender, agreed to the terms, but Jones refused to sell provisions to those who had voted against letting him carry off the lumber. Angered by his conduct, leading patriots called for help from neighboring settlements and, after an unsuccessful attempt to capture Jones and Moore while they attended church, attacked the tender. There was some shooting without injury on either side, and the next morning the Margaretta made off. About forty men armed with guns, swords, axes, and pitchforks went in Jones's sloop Unity under Captain Jeremiah O'Brien, while about twenty similarly armed men went in a small schooner under Captain Benjamin Foster. During the chase, they built breastworks of pine boards and whatever else they could find in the vessels to shield themselves from enemy fire. The tender cut her boats from the stern and made all the sail she could, but because she was a very dull sailor the Americans soon came up with her, and a most obstinate engagement followed, with both sides determined to conquer or die. The tender was forced to yield; her captain was wounded in the breast by two balls and died the next morning, poor Avery was killed, one of the marines was killed, and five were wounded. Only one of the Americans was killed and six wounded, one of whom later died of his wounds. Since 1775, the United States Navy has given the name Jeremiah O'Brien to five different ships in honor of the leader of this first naval victory.

Machiasport, Maine · USA