Dudley Saltonstall was commander of the Penobscot Expedition in 1779 against a British armyfort in Maine, during the Revolutionary War, which is generally acknowledged as the worst naval defeat in United States history. Largest American naval expedition of the American Revolutionary War. ... 1779 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British military. ... Fortifications (Latin fortis, strong, and facere, to make) are military constructions designed for defensive warfare. ... State nickname: The Pine Tree State Other U.S. States Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Governor John Baldacci Official languages None Area 86,542 km² (39th) - Land 80,005 km² - Water 11,724 km² (13. ... The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war fought primarily between Great Britain and revolutionaries within thirteen North American colonies. ...
Saltonstall's reported inaction and timidity were blamed for the defeat and loss of dozens of Continental Navy and Massachusetts ships, most of which were grounded and burned by soldiers in retreat. Soldiers under separate command launched a successful assault on the British fort at the mouth of the Penobscot River. This occupation of the fort and heights was repulsed by British reinforcements which were landed unharassed by Saltonstall's warships. The Continental Navy was authorized by the Continental Congress on October 13, 1775. ... State nickname: Bay State Other U.S. States Capital Boston Largest city Boston Governor Mitt Romney Official languages English Area 27,360 km² (44th) - Land 20,317 km² - Water 7,043 km² (25. ... The Penobscot River is a river, 350 mi (563 km) long, in the U.S. state of Maine. ...
Governor Saltonstall was appointed agent of the colony in 1709 for the purpose of conveying an address to Queen Anne urging the conquest of Canada, and raised a large contingent in Connecticut for the disastrous expedition of Sir Hovenden Walker.
Gurdon's nephew, Richard Saltonstall, jurist, born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, 24 June, 1703; died 20 October, 1756, was graduated at Harvard in 1722, and in 1728 was chosen to represent Haverhill in the general court.
The see-end Gurdon's nephew, DudleySaltonstall, naval officer, born in New London, Connecticut, 8 September, 1738; died in the West Indies in 1796, commanded the "Alfred" in Commander Esek Hopkins's squadron in February, 1776, and on 10 October, 1776, was appointed fourth in the list of captains of the Continental navy.
Congress agreed, and Commodore DudleySaltonstall, commander of the squadron, was picked to lead the naval portion of the expedition.
Saltonstall, however, insisted that this course of action was too risky, continuing the pattern of ultra-cautious behavior that he had exhibited since the start of the operation.
Saltonstall's warships still outnumbered the British and carried more guns, but the armament on board the Royal Navy ships outranged that of the Americans and their gun crews were far superior to their American counterparts.
Feeds |
Contact