11/06/2025
The Battle of the Margaretta in Machias – June 11-12, 1775
The capture of the British vessel HMS Margaretta, was the first Naval Battle of the American Revolution and took place in Machias, Maine on June 11-12th, 1775.
The news of the Lexington and Concord conflicts reached the Machias settlers causing tension and divided loyalties. In Boston, General Thomas Gage arranged for Loyalist Ichabod Jones to bring food supplies to Machias to exchange for lumber needed by the British troops. Jones arrived in Machias with two of his ships, the Unity and Polly, on June 2, 1775 and accompanied by the HMS Margaretta commanded by Midshipman James Moore with about 20 men. The Margaretta had no cannons and only several swivel guns.
Machias was given the ultimatum to supply lumber to Boston for the British barracks or they would face hunger and retaliation. Though the townspeople’s need was great, Jones was met with resistance when he arrived. With escalating tensions, the settlers debated whether they would stand up to the British for the American Cause. The debates took place in the Burnham Tavern in Machias.
Moore and one of his officers decided to attend afternoon worship on Sunday, June 12th at the local meeting house. The militiamen, led by Benjamin Foster, had planned to capture Ichabod Jones during the service. However, armed men approaching the church were noticed and Jones escaped to the woods. Moore was able to escape and fled back to his ship.
The Machias men regrouped the next day. Benjamin Foster led about 20 men and seized the Unity, then commandeered a local schooner named the Falmouth Packet. Jeremiah O’Brien, a prominent figure in Machias, had been elected Captain. Other militiamen traveled by land to find where the Margaretta was anchored. Although the militiamen demanded surrender, Moore refused and sailed to the anchored Polly to try to recover her. There was some gunfire, but Moore was able to raise the anchor and traveled further out. The militiamen, armed with muskets, pitchforks and axes, pursued the Margaretta.
Moore was forced to jibe into brisk winds, and as a result, the main boom and gaff broke away. Once he was in Holmes Bay, he captured a sloop, took the spar and gaff to repair the Margaretta. He also took the sloop pilot Robert Avery captive. The Unity quickly caught up with the Margaretta, although the Falmouth Packet lagged behind. When Moore saw the Unity approaching, he opened full sail in an attempt to escape and opened fire when the Unity pulled closer. The Unity was able to pull alongside the Margaretta, and Joseph Getchell and John O’Brien boarded the Margaretta. Both sides exchanged musket shots, and Moore tossed hand grenades on the Unity. Moore took two musket balls to the chest and abdomen by Samuel Watts. The Falmouth Packet then caught up and both crews were able to overwhelm the Margaretta. The crew surrendered with the vessel. Moore was taken back to Machias and died the next day. One other of Moore’s crew was killed, along with Richard Avery and several others were wounded. The surviving members of the Margaretta crew were taken prisoners.
The Machias community expected retaliation and immediately petitioned the Massachusetts Provincial Congress for guidance, supplies and assistance. Jeremiah O’Brien outfitted one of the three captured vessels and changed the name to the Machias Liberty. Two more British schooners, Diligent and Tatamagouche, were also captured by O’Brien and Foster. The Provincial Congress formerly recognized O’Brien and Foster and commissioned Machias Liberty and Diligent into the Massachusetts Navy with O’Brien as the commander in August 1775.
Retaliation from the British came on October 18th, 1775 with the Burning of Falmouth.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Machias
Burnham Tavern https://www.burnhamtavern.com/history/
Battick, Nancy. In Defense of the Seacoast: Maine in the Revolutionary War ( Lincoln County Publishing Co., Newcastle, ME: 2019).
