Revolutionary War - E26: The Last Days of the Continental Marines at Sea

10/23/19 • 38 min

The Continental Marines played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, serving as shock troops, naval infantry, and shipboard guards. However, by 1779, their reputation and effectiveness were deeply shaken. The disastrous Penobscot Expedition cast doubt on their capabilities, and instead of launching amphibious assaults, Marines found themselves guarding British prisoners on repurposed ships. Recruitment faltered, and desertions, disease, and mutinies plagued their ranks. Leadership struggles, especially aboard the Alliance under Captain Pierre Landais, further weakened their cohesion.

Despite these setbacks, Marines proved their resilience in battle. At Flamborough Head, under John Paul Jones, they played a decisive role in the legendary victory over the HMS Serapis, raining musket fire and grenades from the rigging. But by 1781, their numbers had dwindled, with only two frigates—Alliance and Deane—still carrying Marine detachments. Yet, their legacy endured. While official numbers shrank, Privateer and State Marines continued the fight, ensuring that the Marine Corps' tradition of adaptability, discipline, and tenacity remained alive as America edged closer to independence.

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This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

Previous Episode

Revolutionary War - E25: The Cost of Hesitation: Penobscot’s Collapse

What started as a promising attempt to reclaim Maine from the British ended in complete disaster. Despite superior numbers and early successes, American forces fell victim to weak leadership, constant delays, and a lack of coordination.

The Marines played a key role in the initial assault, scaling cliffs under enemy fire to secure the landing. But with no support from the fleet, their gains were wasted. As commanders debated instead of acting, British reinforcements arrived, and the American fleet was forced into a desperate retreat. One by one, ships were either destroyed or captured.

This episode uncovers the story of a mission that had every chance of success but collapsed under its own weight. From battlefield heroism to strategic blunders, we’ll explore how this defeat shaped America’s military thinking and why it remains one of the greatest failures in early U.S. naval history.

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This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

Next Episode

Revolutionary War - E27: State and Privateer Marines: The Forgotten Naval Warriors

As we approach the final chapters of our series on Marines in the American Revolution, we'll look beyond the Continental Marines and recognize the contributions of State and Privateer Marines. These groups operated outside the formal structure of the Continental Navy, yet they were instrumental in protecting colonial waters and attacking British commerce.

The Alliance remained one of the few ships still carrying out missions and we'll take a look at Marines seeking prize money, officers demanding long-overdue pay, and an uncertain future for those still in service. With the sale of the Alliance in 1785, the last vestige of the Continental Navy was gone, marking the end of the Marine presence in the Revolutionary War.

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This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.