Captain John Manley, 1775-1783

Commissioned by Washington to be Captain of the schooner Lee, he captured three British ships in 1775 in Boston harbor, laden with guns, mortars and military supplies desperately needed by Washington. Commissioned in the Continental Navy as the third senior Captain, he commanded Hancock (capturing British frigate Fox). Captured in 1777 and made prisoner in New York until March 1778, he then commanded Marborough, Cumberland and the prize Jason. He was captured again and imprisoned in England for two years, returning in September 1782 to command Hague. He captured the British ship Baille in January 1783 in one of the final naval actions of the Revolutionary War. During eight years of the war, despite over three years as a POW, he commanded ships that singly captured ten prizes and assisted in the seizure of five others.