Battle of Block Island

Battle of Block Island
Part of the American Revolutionary War

USS Alfred being prepared for her maiden voyage
DateApril 6, 1776
Location
off Block Island, Rhode Island
40°54′N 71°15′W / 40.90°N 71.25°W / 40.90; -71.25
Result British victory
Belligerents
 Great Britain United States United Colonies
Commanders and leaders
Kingdom of Great Britain Tryingham Howe Esek Hopkins
Strength
HMS Glasgow 7 ships
Casualties and losses
1 killed
3 wounded[1]		 10 killed
14 wounded[2]

The Battle of Block Island was a naval skirmish which took place in the waters off Rhode Island during the American Revolutionary War. The Continental Navy under the command of Commodore Esek Hopkins was returning from a successful raid on Nassau when it encountered HMS Glasgow, a Royal Navy dispatch boat.

Glasgow escaped from the fleet of seven ships, although it sustained significant damage, and the battle is considered a victory for the British.[3] Several captains of the Continental fleet were criticized for their actions during the battle, and one was eventually dismissed as a result. Commodore Hopkins was criticized for other actions pertaining to the cruise, including the distribution of seized goods, and was also dismissed.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference M44 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference C29 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Battle of Block Island (April 6, 1776) Summary & Facts". totallyhistory.com. 11 September 2012. Archived from the original on 2016-12-01. Retrieved 2016-12-01.