Hudson River, New York F B T Z

Hudson River, New York

FIRST BATTLE OF THE TAPPAN ZEE

OFF TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK -3 August 1776-

The presence of two British frigates off Tarrytown in the Hudson River served to prevent traffic on the river by the Americans. On the other hand the British ships were isolated and beyond support of their fleet in the lower harbor. The Americans had intelligence that the Phoenix and Rose intended to run back down the river and rejoin the main fleet. At the same time the Americans were attempting to obstruct the river. The obstructions were in place above New York. When the Phoenix ran aground in the Tappan Zee an opportunity presented itself for the Americans to attack the British.1

The Americans, on 3 August 1776, mustered a force of six galleys and fifteen or so whaleboats and launches to attack the British ships. The galleys included the Rhode Island Navy galleys Spitfire (John Grimes) and Washington (Captain Ebenezer Hill), the Connecticut Navy galleys Crane (Jehiel Tinker), Whiting (John McCleave) and Shark (Theophilus Stanton), and the Continental Army galley Lady Washington (Robert Cook). Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper took command of the fleet, aboard the Washington.2

The British were anchored in the river at dawn. In the morning the Phoenix shifted her anchor. As the sun rose her lookouts reported five sail of vessels in sight.3 A little later, at 0900, the Rose sighted "Galleys under way turning up the River . . ." Wallace began clearing his ship for action.4 The weather was fine, with very little wind. By 1230 the Phoenix reported the advancing vessels as three schooners and four galleys, "working up the river."5 Rose reported the fleet as six galleys and twelve launches at 1200, "about 3 Miles below us rowing up to board us."

1 NDAR, "Memoirs of William Smith, 6:37

2 NDAR "Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper to George Washington," 6:37-38

3 NDAR, "Journal of H.M.S. Phoenix, Captain Hyde Parker, Jr.," 6:38

4 NDAR, "Journal of H. M. S. Rose, Captain James Wallace," 6:38-39

5 NDAR, "Journal of H.M.S. Phoenix, Captain Hyde Parker, Jr.," 6:38

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Rose reported the weather as calm.6

Both British captains made more preparations for the coming fight. Aboatd the Phoenix the British carried out a stream anchor and fastened it to create a spring on her cable and then warped the big ship with her broadside pointing down the river.7 At 1230 the Rose weighed anchor and shifted down near the Phoenix. Rose also put a spring on her anchor cables.8

Name Lady Washington Spitfire Washington Shark Crane Whiting Launches/boats Total American

AMERICAN SQUADRON Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper, in Washington

Service Tons

Men

Guns

Captain

CA-NY

[ 50]

[ 50]

1

Captain Robert Cook

RIN

[ 50]

[ 50]

3

Captain John Grimes

RIN

[ 50]

[ 50]

3

Captain Ebenezer Hill

CTN

57

50

4

Captain Theophilus Stanton

CTN

57

50

4

Captain Jehiel Tinker

CTN

57

50

4

Captain John McCleave

CA

--

--

--

--

[ 330]

[ 300]

19

Name Phoenix Rose Tryal Shuldham Charlotta Total British

Service RN RN RN RN RN

BRITISH SQUADRON Captain Hyde Parker, in Phoenix

Tons

Men

Guns

Captain

850

280

44 Captain Hyde Parker

449

160

20 Captain James Wallace

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

1299

[ 300]

64

6 NDAR, "Journal of H. M. S. Rose, Captain James Wallace," 6:38-39 7 NDAR, "Journal of H.M.S. Phoenix, Captain Hyde Parker, Jr.," 6:38 8 NDAR, "Journal of H. M. S. Rose, Captain James Wallace," 6:38-39

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The American galleys came up to the British ships at 1315, to begin the attack.9 The British reported that the action began at 1300, when six "Rebels Schooners & Row Gallies attacked us."10 According to the Rose, the action began at 1245, when "the Galleys began a smart fire on us brot our broad side to bear and kept a Constant fire."11 A sailor aboard the American fleet stated the first shot was fired at 1300.12

Lieutenant Colonel Tupper reported that Phoenix fired the first gun, which was returned by the Lady

Detail of a map in Koke, "Struggle for the Hudson.

9 NDAR "Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper to George Washington," 6:37-38 10 NDAR, "Journal of H.M.S. Phoenix, Captain Hyde Parker, Jr.," 6:38 11 NDAR, "Journal of H. M. S. Rose, Captain James Wallace," 6:38-39 12 NDAR, "A Letter from a Gentleman who was in the Engagement with the Ministerial Pirates off Tarry-Town, dated Sunday Morning, Aug. 4," 6:49

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Washington. Her shot went through the Phoenix.13 The Washington (with Tupper aboard) came up within grape shot range and "singly sustained their whole Fire for above a Quarter of an Hour before any other of our Vessels took a Shot from her (the Tide wasting them more than the Pilots expected, to the Eastern Shore,"14 Tupper ordered the Lady Washington to put about and form a line with the other galleys. However the tide was running and the Washington and Spitfire were exposed to the British broadside fire for a half hour, unsupported. Fortunately the British shooting was bad and the two had very little damage.15

"The Spitfire advanced in a Line with the Washington, and with her behaved well. We had as hot a fire as perhaps ever was known for an Hour and an Half. The Washington, on which I was on board during the whole Engagement, had the Ledgings of her bow Guns knocked away, which prevented our working them, and was otherways considerably damaged, being thirteen Times hulled," had three Shot in her Waist, many of her Oars carried away . . ."16

"The Lady Washington, after hulling the Phoenix six Times, had her bow and only Gun, a Thirty-two Pounder, on which we placed much Dependence, split seven Inches, and her Gun Tackles and Britchings carried away. The Spitfire was hulled several Times, and received one Shot between Wind and Water, which not being

13 NDAR "Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper to George Washington," 6:37-38; "A Letter from a Gentleman who was in the Engagement with the Ministerial Pirates off Tarry-Town, dated Sunday Morning, Aug. 4," 6:49

14 NDAR, "A Letter from a Gentleman who was in the Engagement with the Ministerial Pirates off Tarry-Town, dated Sunday Morning, Aug. 4," 6:49

15 NDAR "Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper to George Washington," 6:37-38

16 NDAR, "A Letter from a Gentleman who was in the Engagement with the Ministerial Pirates off Tarry-Town, dated Sunday Morning, Aug. 4," 6:49

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quickly discovered, occasioned her making much Water. The rest of the Gallies received considerable Damage in their Rigging, Sails and Spars."17

Detail of a map by Des Barres. The Battle took place off Tarrytown, where the three large ships are drawn, upper left. From "A sketch of the operations of His Majesty's fleet and army under the command of Vice Admiral the Rt. Hble. Lord Viscount Howe and Genl. Sr. Wm. Howe, K.B., in 1776."

For the next hour and a half18 or two hours19 the action continued. Tupper realized that he was making little impression upon the British. Tupper "thought it prudent to give the signal for our little Fleet to withdraw, after manfully fighting a much superior Force, for two Hours.-Never did Men behave with more firm determined Spirit than our little crews; one of our Tars being mortally wounded, cried to his Messmates, " I am a dying Man, revenge my Blood, my Boys, and carry me along Side my Gun, that I may die there." 20

Tupper began to retreat, thinking to drop down to Dobb's Ferry, four miles below the

17 NDAR, "A Letter from a Gentleman who was in the Engagement with the Ministerial Pirates off Tarry-Town, dated Sunday Morning, Aug. 4," 6:49

18 NDAR "Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper to George Washington," 6:37-38

19 NDAR, "Journal of H.M.S. Phoenix, Captain Hyde Parker, Jr.," 6:38

20 NDAR, "A Letter from a Gentleman who was in the Engagement with the Ministerial Pirates off Tarry-Town, dated Sunday Morning, Aug. 4," 6:49

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