HOPKINS, ESEK (1718-1802), the first admiral of the U.S. navy, was born at Scituate, R.I., in 1718. He belonged to one of the most prominent Puritan families of New England. At the age of 20 he went to sea and rapidly came to the front as a good sailor and skilful trader. Marrying, three years later, into a prosperous family of Newport, he became commodore of a fleet of 17 merchantmen, the movements of which he directed with skill and energy. In war as well as peace, Hopkins was establish ing his reputation as one of the leading colonial seamen, for as captain of a privateer he made brilliant and successful ventures during the Seven Years' War. At the outbreak of the Revolu tionary War Hopkins was appointed brigadier-general by Rhode Island, was commissioned, in Dec. 1775, by the Continental Congress, commander-in-chief of the navy, and in Jan. 1776, hoisted his flag as admiral of the eight converted merchantmen which then constituted the navy of the United States. His first , cruise resulted in a great acquisition of material of war and an indecisive fight with H.M.S. "Glasgow." At first this created great enthusiasm, but criticism soon made itself heard. Hopkins and two of his captains were tried for breach of orders, and, though ably defended by John Adams, were censured by Congress. The commands, nevertheless, were not interfered with, and a prize was soon afterwards named after the admiral by their orders. But the difficulties and mutual distrust continually increased, and in 1777 Congress summarily dismissed Hopkins from his com mand, on the complaint of some of his officers. Before the order arrived, the admiral had detected the conspiracy against him, and had had the ringleaders tried and degraded by court-martial. But the Congress followed up its order by dismissing him from the navy. For the rest of his life he lived in Rhode Island, play ing a prominent part in State politics. He died at Providence in 1802.
See Edward Field, Life of Esek Hopkins (Providence, 1898) ; also an article by R. Grieve in the New England Magazine of Nov. 1897.