The Gaspée Affair was an important incident in the course of the American Revolution. The HMS Gaspée, a British ship that had been vigorously enforcing unpopular trade regulations, ran aground on June 9, 1772 off of Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island while chasing smugglers. In an act of colonial defiance that gained considerable notoriety, the ship was attacked and burned by American Patriots led by Abraham Whipple. Before the Revolution: The 13 colonies are in red, the pink area was claimed by Great Britain after the French and Indian War, and the orange region was claimed by Spain. ... The English Navigation Acts were a series of laws which, beginning in 1651, restricted foreign shipping. ... June 9 is the 160th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (161st in leap years), with 205 days remaining. ... 1772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Narragansett Bay, shown in pink Narragansett Bay is a fjord on the north side of Rhode Island Sound, forming an expansive natural harbor as well as a small archipelago. ... State nickname: The Ocean State Other U.S. States Capital Providence Largest city Providence Governor Donald Carcieri Official languages None Area 4,005 km² (50th)  - Land 2,709 km²  - Water 1,296 km² (32. ... This article concerns Patriots in the American Revolution. ... Abraham Whipple (26 September 1733–27 May 1819) was an American revolutionary naval commander. ...