Province Galley (ship) facts for kids
The Province Galley was a special kind of ship used by the early American colonies, specifically Massachusetts, a long time ago. It was like an early version of a navy ship for the colonies, before the United States even existed! This ship helped protect the colonies and was armed with ten guns.
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The Province Galley was a small but important ship called a ketch. A ketch is a sailing ship with two masts. It was built by officials in Massachusetts in 1696. This ship was one of the first examples of a "proto-American navy," which means it was a very early step towards the United States having its own navy. It had ten cannons to defend itself and help in battles.
Who Commanded the Ship?
For most of its twenty years of service, the Province Galley was led by a brave captain named Cyprian Southack. He was in charge of the ship for a very long time. Later, from 1709 to 1711, Captain William Pickering also commanded the Province Galley. In 1696, another important person, Colonel John Hathorne, was in command when the ship took part in a battle.
The Ship's Role in Early American Wars
The Province Galley was launched on June 1, 1694. It was used during two important conflicts: King William's War and Queen Anne's War. These wars were fought between England (and its colonies, like Massachusetts) and France (and its colonies). The ship helped protect the coast and support military actions during these times.
Taking Part in the Siege of Fort Nashwaak
In 1696, the Province Galley, under the command of Colonel John Hathorne, was involved in the Siege of Fort Nashwaak (1696). A "siege" is when an army surrounds a fort or town to try and capture it. This shows how the Province Galley was directly involved in important military events of its time.
The Second Province Galley
The first Province Galley was eventually replaced. A new ship with the exact same name was launched on April 2, 1705. This second Province Galley was much bigger and stronger than the first. It had 24 guns instead of 10, and its keel (the main bottom part of the ship) was 74 feet long. This upgrade shows how important the ship was for the colony's defense.
An Interesting Historical Record
It's quite interesting that a pay-book for the Province Galley still exists today! This book, which recorded payments to the crew, can be found in the British National Archives at Kew. It's special because the Province Galley was a ship of the Massachusetts province, not the Royal Navy (which was the main navy of England). This record gives us a peek into what life was like for the sailors on this early American ship.
