however, to hoist the first authorized American
flag over a regularly commissioned vessel-of-war. This flag was of
bunting, showing a pine-tree on a plain white ground, with the words
"Liberty Tree" and "Appeal to God" prominently displayed. This flag
was chiefly used until the adoption of the stars and stripes. The
"rattlesnake flag," with a reptile in the act of striking, and the
legend "Don't tread on me," was largely used by the privateers.

The year 1775 closed with but little activity upon the ocean. The
ships of the regular navy were late in getting into commission, and an
early winter impeded their usefulness. Some little work was done by
privateers and the ships of the different colonies, and the ships of
the British navy were kept fully occupied in guarding against the
operations of these gentry. The man-of-war "Nautilus" chased an
American privateer into a little cove near Beverly, and in the heat of
the chase both vessels ran aground. The people on shore put off to the
privateer, and quickly stripped her of her cordage and armament, and
with the guns built a small battery by the water-side, from which they
opened a telling fire upon the stranded "Nautilus." The man-of-war
returned in kind, and did some slight damage to the town; but when the
tide had risen she slipped her cables and departed. Such desultory
encounters were of frequent occurrence, but no naval battles of any
importance took place until the spring of 1776.

[Illustration: Commodore Esek Hopkins.]

CHAPTER V.

EVENTS OF 1776. -- THE FIRST CRUISE OF THE REGULAR NAVY. --
THE "LEXINGTON" AND THE "EDWARD." -- MUGFORD'S BRAVE FIGHT.
-- LOSS OF THE "YANKEE HERO." -- CAPT. MANLY, AND THE
"DEFENCE." -- AMERICAN VESSELS IN EUROPEAN WATERS. -- GOOD
WORK OF THE "LEXINGTON" AND THE "REPRISAL." -- THE BRITISH
DEFEATED AT CHARLESTON.

The year 1776 witnessed some good service done for the cause of
liberty by the little colonial navy. The squadron, under the command
of Ezekiel Hopkins, left the Delaware in February, as soon as the ice
had left the river, and made a descent upon the island of New
Providence, where the British had established a naval station. The
force under Hopkins consisted of seven vessels-of-war, and one
despatch-boat. The attack was successful in every way, a landing party
of three hundred marines and sailors which was sent ashore meeting
with but little resistance from the British garrison. By t