CONGRESS DEBATES HOW TO DEFEND NEW YORK AGAINST EXPECTED BRITISH ATTACK
Philadelphia (JFK+50) On May 30, 1776, General George Washington was here in Philadelphia as the Second Continental Congress debated on the issue of how to defend New York against an expected British attack.
The Congress granted General Washington "broad authority" to direct the construction of naval defenses. He could direct the building of fire rafts* and row galleys**.
*Fire rafts--floating vessels packed with combustibles set adrift to burn enemy ships
**Row galleys--oar powered boats with cannon & floating batteries
SOURCE
"May 30, 1776," Washington Day-to-Day, www.mountvernon.org/
The 'Luxborough Galley' on Fire
1727
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