American Revolution in Massachusetts

Little Brewster Island, and the lighthouse located there, had been occupied by the British since 1774. After Bunker Hill it was decided that the lighthouse should be darkened so that the British would not be able to use it to support the blockade of the harbor. The colonists thus staged two raids on the island targeting the lighthouse within a two-week span.

The first raid took place on July 20. Colonists lead by Major Joseph Vose traveled to the island in whaleboats and were able to burn the wooden parts of the lighthouse and make a successful escape back to the mainland.

The British began repairing the lighthouse, with a detachment of Marines there to guard it. George Washington then ordered a second raid to destroy the repairs and either kill or capture all British present on the island. Major Benjamin Tupper led 300 men in whaleboats to the island on July 31. The colonists were able to destroy the repairs, and were also successful in killing or capturing all of the British guards present on the island. A brief engagement with British reinforcements ended when canon fire from nearby Nantasket Head (now the town of Hull) destroyed a British ship, causing them to retreat.

Casualties (second raid)
Colonists: 2 killed
British: 43 killed or captured on the island, unknown number in naval engagement

Result
American victory

Aftermath
The lighthouse was severely damaged, requiring about four months of repairs before it was usable again. Tupper and his men received commendations from Washington, while Vose was soon promoted to Colonel.