Revolutionary War Privateer Defence Excavation

Built in 1779, Defence sailed that July from Beverly, Massachusetts to take part in the siege of nascent Fort George in Penobscot Bay. Poor leadership led to disaster as the siege floundered due to failed cooperation of the Massachusetts army and Continental navy. In August, a supporting British unit appeared on the scene. The American fleet, faced with a tactically superior force, fled up Penobscot Bay and River. With no escape by water possible, the crews scuttled, blew up, and burned their own ships to keep them out of British hands.

In 1972, the Maine Maritime Academy and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology undertook the search for Defence, locating the hull in three days. This would be the first ship of the American Revolution to be fully scientifically excavated, the archaeological project began in 1975 as a joint undertaking between INA, the Maine Maritime Academy, and the Maine State Museum.

Upon excavation it was found that much of the ship’s supplies had been abandoned at the time of her destruction. Fifteen casks of foodstuffs, many having originally contained salt pork, were found in the bow. A large brick galley stove was found just behind the foremast. The stove included a large two-chambered copper cauldron around which the bricks had been laid. Mess tools as well as personal utensils were found in this area, some marked with individuals’ initials. Amidships was a plethora of personal items left by the 100-man crew including clothing, shoes, and buttons. Aft of this was the shot locker filled with cannon balls, grape shot, and other munitions. The officers’ quarters in the stern were completely blown to bits as this was where the destructive charge was laid when the ship was scuttled.