Captain John Peck Rathbun: Revolutionary War Naval Hero & Man of the Sea

Continental Navy Captain John Peck Rathbun (1746-1782) was a true man of the sea. In his short 36 years on this earth, he experienced just about everything of the world’s oceans a sailor can. He first went to sea in merchant vessels as a ship’s boy and worked his way up to mate, and finally master. When our young country declared its independence, he volunteered his services, serving as John Paul Jones’ First Lieutenant on the Continental Navy Sloop Providence.

Later appointed Captain of Providence, Rathbun’s achievements included leading the capture of two forts on Nassau, in the Bahamas in 1778. The amphibious raid involved Continental Marines led by Captain John Trevett. American prisoners were freed, cannons, gunpowder and other supplies were captured, along with several prize vessels.

Rathbun himself was captured at the American loss of Charleston, SC, while in command of the Continental Frigate Queen of France. Then paroled, he returned home to Rhode Island. For a short while he became a landsman, purchased and ran The Kingston Inn with his wife, Polly.

The urge to return to sea and that life grew too strong. With no Continental Navy commands available, he went back to sea as master of the Massachusetts Privateer Wexford, was captured off of Ireland, and became a prisoner-of-war in Plymouth, England where he met his untimely death due to illness.

Over the course of his short career, John Peck Rathbun was responsible for the capture of 25 vessels and millions of dollars in cargo that aided in the war effort.

Join researcher and author Frank H. Rathbun as he recounts the biography of a hero in the birth of the American Navy who arguably deserves more acclaim than he has received. This book is the result of a life’s effort in Frank’s study of his cousin, Captain John Peck Rathbun.