Combat· American Revolutionary War
Raid on New Providence (Battle of Nassau)
On March 3, 1776, Continental Marines landed on New Providence in the Bahamas to take the gunpowder and military stores belonging to the Crown.
Captain Samuel Nicholas commanded 234 Marines, augmented by 50 sailors, from the Continental Fleet of Commodore Esek Hopkins. It was the first amphibious landing executed by Continental Marines. The force came ashore two miles east of Fort Montagu. As the column approached, the fort fired three shots, and its militia spiked the cannon and withdrew to the fort in the town. Nicholas took possession of the deserted fort and kept his men there overnight. Around midnight, 162 barrels of gunpowder were loaded on two vessels that sailed for St. Augustine. The next morning Nicholas entered Nassau, received the keys to Fort Nassau, and occupied it without firing a shot. Fort Montagu held seventeen cannon; Fort Nassau held forty mounted cannon, fifteen brass mortars, and a great quantity of shot and shells. The fleet loaded the stores and sailed on March 17, carrying the governor prisoner.
Record no. 70