Illustrated Talk. Hear how, on his 27th birthday in May 1776, Captain James Mugford of Marblehead became an early Revolutionary War hero and martyr, killed in combat by the British in retaliation for audaciously — and fortuitously for Commander-in-Chief Washington and his army — capturing a 300-ton British supply ship a day or two before. It’s a sad but fascinating story ! – as his young wife successfully negotiated with the captain of the British warship for his release after the young ship’s master had been “impressed” (essentially kidnapped from off a Marblehead street) and held prisoner on that British ship. While on board, Mugford heard about the supply ship’s imminent arrival. Soon after, commanding the Franklin out of Marblehead, he and his crew, posing as a harmless fishing vessel, captured the valuable munitions transport. Tragically, he died in a retaliatory battle the following day. But the vital and desperately needed munitions and supplies remained in American hands.
