MARGARETTA, The, a British armed schooner, captured by Americans near Machias, Me., 12 June 1775, in the first naval contest of the Revolution. In April 1774 Capt. Ichabod Jones sailed into the harbor of Machias, and there, on account of complications caused by the Boston Port Bill (q.v.), he remained for a year, with his vessel hauled up. When news of the battle of Lexington reached Machias, Jones was loading two sloops, the Unity and the Polly, for Boston, whither he soon sailed. The whole •country was now excited over the Port Bill, and in Boston it had caused much dis tress.
Jones wished to return to Machias with pro visions, of which the people there were in want. Admiral Graves, the British officer in &awe of Boston harbor, granted him permis sion to sail on condition of his bringing back lumber for the use of the British troops, and the admiral ordered the Margaretta, a cutter of about 100 tons, carrying about 40 men, to ac company Jones to his destination to see that tins condition was fulfilled; also that the American skipper should convey to Boston the stores of an armed vessel lately cast away. Jones is said to have been favorable to the British, whose protection at this time he may have solicited. His two sloops, convoyed by the Margaretta, arrived at Machias 2 June 1775; but many of the citizens,' declaring that he should carry no lumber to Boston, organized for resistance to the enforcement of Graves' order.
The leader of this opposition was Benjamin Foster, a colonial soldier, who had been present at the capture of Louisburg from the French. A secret meeting was called, and on Saturday, 10 June, men of Machias and neighboring settle. ments gathered in the woods to consider the advisability of attempting to take the sloops, capture the Margaretta and make prisoners of the cutter's officers and crew. Among those that assembled was Jeremiah O'Brien, who, with several brothers, participated in the subsequent capture. During the discussion Foster stepped across a small brook running near and called on all in favor of the attempt to follow. The majority followed him, and then "a unanimous declaration of was made.
On Sunday, 11 June, Jones and the principal officers of the Margaretta being at church, Fos ter and others started to take them into custody; but, getting the alarm, they escaped by jumping from the windows— Jones fleeing to the woods, while the British officers returned to the Mar garetta and weighed anchor, threatening to fire on any who should interfere with Jones sloops.
In spite of this threat the Americans deter mined to carry out their purpose. When the enemy was sighted, on Monday, the 12th, Jere miah O'Brien was chosen to lead the movement, and while he took 40 men on board the Unity, Foster, with another party, boarded the Fal mouth Packer, a schooner lying at hand. The bold defiers of British force had only °a few charges of powder and ball for 20 fowling pieces or muskets, 13 pitchforks and 10 or 12 axes,)) the powder and balls being nearly all on O'Brien's vessel. As they approached the Mar garetta she was ready for action, and her com mander, Moore, gave warning that he would fire if they came nearer. O'Brien called upon him to surrender, while Stevens, O'Brien's lieuten ant,. told Moore to °fire and be To avoid action, Moore crowded all sail and stood out to sea. But the Unity was the better sailer, and as she overhauled them the British opened fire, which the heroes of the "fowling -pieces)) returned with effect. The vessels coming to gether, a short musketry fight ensued. Moore himself threw hand-grenades,. but was shot down. The Americans — O'Brien at their head — boarded the cutter and soon had complete possession of her.
In this plucky exploit one of the American party was killed and four wounded, one mor tally. On the Margaretta four were killed be sides her commander, who died of his wound. Her captors triumphantly took the Margaretta to Machias the same day, and her crew were held until July as prisoners of war. So ended 'one of the most bold, energetic and extraor dinary occurrences of the With the armament of the four 3-pounders and 14 swivels — the Unity was fitted out, and she was thenceforth called the Machias Liberty.