Battle of Block Island

Battle of Block Island
Part of the American Revolutionary War
USS Alfred being prepared for her maiden voyage
Date April 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 Colonies
Commanders and leaders
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.