Esek Hopkins was born in Rhode Island on 26 April 1718. As a young man he began a career at sea, captaining merchant vessels and, during the French and Indian War, a successful privateer. After the American Revolution broke out in 1775, Rhode Island appointed Hopkins as commander of its military forces. Later in that year he became Commander in Chief of the still very small Continental Navy. In mid-February 1776, Commodore Hopkins sailed from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under orders from the Continental Congress to attack British maritime forces in the Chesapeake Bay, along the southern coast and off Rhode Island.
Realizing that enemy strength was too great to permit execution of this ambitious task, Hopkins instead undertook what would be the Navy's first amphibious offensive. On 3 March, his squadron put a landing party ashore on New Providence Island, in the Bahamas, seized the local defensive works and captured a stock of equipment and supplies that were badly needed for military purposes in the rebellious American colonies. On 4 April 1776, while en route home, the Continental ships encountered and captured two small British warships. Two days later they had an inconclusive engagement with HMS Glasgow. Hopkins' squadron arrived at New London, Connecticut, on 8 April.
Hopkins' conduct of his operations produced considerable controversy. Though censured by the Congress, he remained in charge of the American Navy for the next year, during which time his ships were based in southern New England. Continued dissatisfaction with his performance led to loss of his command in 1777 and dismissal from the service early in 1778. Esek Hopkins retained his local popularity, however, serving in the Rhode Island legislature during most of the next decade and remaining active in the state's affairs until his death on 26 February 1802.
The U.S. Navy has named two destroyers in honor of Esek Hopkins, including: USS Hopkins (Destroyer # 6), 1903-1920; and USS Hopkins (DD-249, later DMS-13).
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Page made 14 December 2002