05/08/2026
Today marks the 250th Anniversary the first naval battle on the Delaware River! We hope to see you on the tour covering this action tomorrow!
https://www.facebook.com/events/963395566267578
– The First Naval Engagement on the Delaware River: May 8 & 9, 1776
On May 8, 1776 an engagement between two British Naval ships, the HMS Roebuck and HMS Liverpool, and thirteen row galleys of the Pennsylvania State Navy began off the coast of Carney’s Point, New Jersey.
While the two British ships were patrolling the Delaware Bay, they began to run low on fresh water and moved up the river to refill their supply. News of their movement spread quickly to Philadelphia. Thinking the British were attempting to capture the city, the Pennsylvania State Navy was dispatched to engage and stop the British from advancing on the city.
These thirteen small row galleys carried one gun each and the British ships carried 72 guns combined. To everyone’s amazement, the galley captains performed bravely and stood fast against the British ships. The HMS Roebuck found itself in trouble when it ran aground and became stuck off Helm’s Cove (Penns Grove, New Jersey) for the entire night of the 8th. With the galleys running out of ammunition, an attack on the Roebuck never materialized and the ship was freed with help from the HMS Liverpool.
On May 9, most of the day the galleys were chased up the river until the water became too shallow for the British ship to continue. As they turned to go back to the bay, the galleys attacked and followed at a cautious distance. The engagement stopped when it became too dark in the evening to continue.
The next day the British continued down the river and out to sea. Though the Battle ended in a draw, it gave great confidence to the revolutionaries. Continental Congressman from Massachusetts, John Adams, wrote to his wife, Abigail, on May 12, stating:
“There has been a gallant Battle, in Delaware River between the Gallies and two Men of War, the Roebuck and Liverpool, in which the Men of War came off second best—which has diminished, in the Minds of the People, on both sides the River, the Terror of a Man of War.”
Article written by staff at Hancock House Historic Site.
Photo: HMS Liverpool sketch by Jeremiah Riley 1776
