American Revolution in Massachusetts

In retaliation for the raids against British ships along the coast of New England, including the taking of the Margaretta in Machias, Captain Henry Mowat was ordered by Vice Admiral Samuel Graves to suppress rebellion on the coast and to “lay waste burn and destroy such Sea Port towns as are accessible to His Majesty’s ships.” Because of his temporary capture there the previous May during Thompson’s War, Mowat chose to attack Falmouth (now Portland, Maine) first.

Mowat led six ships of the British fleet to Falmouth, where he sent a notice ashore that he was there to "execute a just punishment" and gave the people two hours to evacuate. After a delegation from the town asked for mercy and were told that they would be spared only if they swore allegiance to the king and surrendered their weapons and ammunition, the people evacuated the town.

Incendiary cannonballs fired from the fleet set fire to most of the buildings, while a landing party sent by Mowat set fire to any buildings that had escaped the flames caused by the volleys. The barrage began shortly before 10AM and lasted for most of the day.

Casualties
Colonists: Unknown
British: Unknown, at least 1 wounded and 1 killed

Result
Technical British victory

Aftermath
Over 400 buildings were destroyed, leaving over 1,000 people homeless. It was not until well after the war ended that the town was able to fully rebuild itself. The cruelty of the raid was emphasized by Colonial propagandists and the incident was used to whip up even more support for their cause, and the Massachusetts Provincial Congress issued letters of marque to privateers, allowing them to take action against the British Navy.

Graves’ superior, Lord George Germain, relieved Graves of his command shortly after the incident due to his inability to suppress naval rebellion, and Mowat’s military career never fully recovered. The burning of Falmouth was called “absurd” and “barbaric” by French foreign secretary Charles Gravier, who had been keeping a close eye on the situation in the Colonies.