American Revolution in Massachusetts

The HMS Falcon, commanded by British Captain John Linzee, first appeared off Ipswich Bay on August 5. He sent a group of 50 men ashore in West Gloucester to take sheep from Major Coffin’s farm. Coffin anticipated something like this and had gathered several men behind the dunes of the beach and all of them fired on the British, forcing them to retreat.

On August 8 or 9, Linzee went after two American schooners that were on their way to Salem. One was captured quickly and the second made its way into Gloucester Harbor and grounded itself there as the Falcon gave chase. Linzee’s attempt to take the second schooner resulted in a constant barrage of gunfire from the militia gathered onshore, and he was ultimately forced to retreat aboard the Falcon having lost both schooners and several of the Falcon’s small boats.

Casualties
Colonists: 2 killed, 1 wounded
British: 1 killed, 4 wounded, 24 captured

Result
American victory

Aftermath
The actions of the militia in Gloucester in resisting the British, along with similar such actions in other attempted raids, would later lead to reprisals against some coastal communities in New England.