The Raid of Nassau: The First Navy and Marine Operation and Victory

“New Providence Raid, March 1776” by V. Zveg, featuring the Continental Marines landing on Nassau beach in March 1776.

In March 1776, the newly formed American Navy launched its first major offensive at Nassau in the Bahamas, driven by a critical need for gunpowder and supplies to fuel the fight for independence. This daring raid, led by Commodore Esek Hopkins and joined by a young John Paul Jones and Captain Samuel Nicholas, marked a defining moment in the early Revolutionary War. It was here, in the port city of Nassau - once a notorious pirate haven - that the Continental Marines embarked on their first mission, beginning a legacy of bravery and amphibious warfare that endures to this day.

Planning the Raid and Its Leaders

Commanded by Commodore Esek Hopkins, a Rhode Islander appointed by the Continental Congress as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Navy, the operation was a response to dire shortages of critical supplies for the Continental Army. Tasked with defending the American coast and securing essential resources, Hopkins set his sights on Nassau to seize British stores of gunpowder and other vital military supplies. He led a fleet of eight ships, which carried 200 Continental Marines under the command of Captain Samuel Nicholas. Among the crew was John Paul Jones, a young Navy lieutenant, whose participation in this raid—and actions during a later skirmish on the return voyage - would earn him his first command.

The American Fleet and Privateers

The American fleet consisted of the Alfred, Hornet, Wasp, Fly, Andrew Doria, Cabot, Providence, and Columbus. Some of these ships were privateers—civilian merchant vessels outfitted with cannons and authorized by the Continental Congress to capture British merchant ships and disrupt supply lines. Though technically legal, privateering often operated in a gray area bordering on piracy, especially in waters once dominated by pirate activity. This resourceful strategy underscored the Americans' willingness to enlist unconventional forces in the fight for independence. Hopkins himself had been a privateer before commanding the Continental Navy, reflecting the pragmatic and flexible approach of early American leaders.

The Continental Marines: A New Force Born in a Historic Tavern

The Continental Marines had only recently been established on November 10, 1775, by an act of the Continental Congress calling for “two battalions of Marines” to serve aboard naval ships. Captain Samuel Nicholas, the first commandant of the Marines, was tasked with recruiting these forces, and history records that he did so at Philadelphia’s famed Tun Tavern. This beloved tavern served as a meeting place and informal recruiting hub, where the Marines formed their ranks. The raid on Nassau became their first official combat mission - and their first amphibious assault. Today, Marines trace their history to this moment, celebrating it as the origin of a proud legacy in both land and sea operations.

Sketch of Tun Tavern during the American Revolutionary War, the birthplace of the United States Marine Corps.

Why Nassau? The Urgent Search for Supplies

The decision to target Nassau was both strategic and urgent. Early in the war, American forces were desperately short on military supplies, especially gunpowder, which was in high demand. British forces had transferred a large stockpile of gunpowder from St. Charles, Virginia, to Nassau in 1775 to prevent it from falling into American hands. The Americans aimed to seize this cache to bolster their forces and weaken British power in the region.

Nassau’s Pirate Past: From Buccaneers to the British

During the Golden Age of Piracy, Nassau served as the epicenter of pirate activity in the Caribbean. Infamous figures like Blackbeard and Charles Vane made Nassau their stronghold, using its strategic location to intercept treasure-laden Spanish ships and British merchants. The British recaptured Nassau in the early 18th century to dismantle this haven of piracy and restore order. By 1776, Nassau symbolized an ironic battleground: once overrun by pirate flags, it was now under British control. When the Americans arrived at Nassau, their use of privateers in this mission connected to Nassau’s colorful past, reflecting how privateering skirted the edges of piracy, operating in the same waters where buccaneers had once thrived.

The Raid on Nassau: Execution and Victory

On March 1, 1776, Hopkins and his fleet reached Nassau. However, instead of attacking immediately, they waited until daybreak, allowing British forces at the fort to spot their ships and open fire. Forced to adjust their strategy, the Americans shifted to a more suitable landing site and launched their assault on March 2. Led by Captain Samuel Nicholas, the Continental Marines—bolstered by 50 Navy sailors - carried out the first American amphibious assault in military history. Storming the beach, the Marines advanced on Nassau, capturing Fort Montagu with minimal resistance.

Painting featuring the Continental Marines landing on the beaches of Nassau.

Modern-day view of Fort Montagu, one of two forts that defended Nassau while under British rule.

The British defenders, caught off guard by the Americans’ numbers, fell back, allowing the Americans to seize the town and the fort’s stores of military supplies. While much of the gunpowder had been moved just days before the raid, the Americans still captured valuable arms, cannon, and other military supplies crucial to the Revolutionary cause.

Though the operation didn’t yield the full stockpile of gunpowder, it sent a powerful message: the fledgling Continental Navy and Marine Corps could successfully plan and execute a complex assault, showcasing their resilience and determination against one of the world’s most powerful empires.

The Lasting Legacy of the Nassau Raid

Though brief, the raid on Nassau became a powerful symbol of American naval and Marine Corps strength. For the Continental Marines, it was their first mission, laying the groundwork for the core principles of amphibious assault. Each November 10, the Marine Corps celebrates its birthday by recalling its roots at Tun Tavern and in the raid on Nassau, honoring the courage and adaptability forged in this inaugural mission.

For John Paul Jones, Nassau was the beginning of a storied naval career. Though not yet the legendary commander he would become, his actions during the raid and a battle on the return voyage earned him command of his own ship. This mission marked Jones’ first experience with naval warfare, foreshadowing his future as the “Father of the American Navy.” Known for declaring, “I have not yet begun to fight!” during his famed battle with the HMS Serapis, Jones embodied a spirit that inspired early Americans to challenge even the most formidable opponents.

For Nassau, the raid added yet another chapter to its colorful history. From its days as a pirate refuge to its role in British colonial defense and, finally, as a target of American forces, Nassau was a place where empire, piracy, and liberty converged. The success of this raid proved that America’s fledgling forces were willing to confront the British on their own terms, setting the stage for a bold new nation.

Closing Reflections: An Enduring Inspiration for Marines

The Raid on Nassau established a legacy that resonates with the Marine Corps to this day. This first amphibious mission underscored the Marines' ability to adapt and fight with determination on land and sea. Through the efforts of Samuel Nicholas and the Continental Marines, the raid built a foundation for a strong, resilient, and elite fighting force. Today, generations of Marines continue to honor this legacy, facing new challenges with the same spirit of service and dedication.