![The Loss of the Romney Man-of-War. (Photo source: Collection of the National Maritime Museum)
Before there was Mitt Romney, aka “The Ripper;” aka “Mittens,” and before there was his father, George Romney, there was an important, though much less known Romney in American history.
The HMS Romney, a 50-gun fourth-rate member of the Royal Navy, saw action in The American Revolution, French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.
From Wikipedia:
Launched in 1760, Romney spent most of her early career in North American waters, serving on the Newfoundland station, often as the flagship of the commander-in-chief there. She became caught up in the tensions leading up to the outbreak of the American Revolution when she was sent to support the Boston commissioners enforcing the Townshend Acts in 1768. Her actions involved impressing local sailors, confiscating a vessel belonging to John Hancock and providing a refuge for the unpopular commissioners when rioting broke out. She remained in American waters for part of the ensuing war, but towards the end had shifted to operate in European waters after the French entry to the conflict.
A bit more about The Romney ‘s interesting role in revolutionary America:
While serving off North America, Romney achieved a degree of notoriety after being sent to Boston Harbour to support the commissioners, who had asked Hood for help in enforcing the Townshend Acts.[4]Romney arrived on 17 May 1768, but being short of men, Captain Corner began to impress seamen from the harbour. This was unpopular with the locals, who took to attacking the impress gangs. Events escalated when the commissioners in the town ordered the seizure of the merchant vessel Liberty, which belonged to John Hancock.[4] When sailors and marines from Romney attempted to seize the vessel, mobs attacked them and then turned on the commissioners. Many of the officials took refuge aboard the Romney, before transferring to Castle William.[5] These incidents heightened tensions that would eventually lead to the Boston Massacre in 1770.[5]
So, “Romney” has been a symbol of aristocratic ‘out-of-touchiness’ in American history for 250 years.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxuk1ztkHR1qcbx7lo1_1280.png)
The Loss of the Romney Man-of-War. (Photo source: Collection of the National Maritime Museum)
Before there was Mitt Romney, aka “The Ripper;” aka “Mittens,” and before there was his father, George Romney, there was an important, though much less known Romney in American history.
The HMS Romney, a 50-gun fourth-rate member of the Royal Navy, saw action in The American Revolution, French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.
Launched in 1760, Romney spent most of her early career in North American waters, serving on the Newfoundland station, often as the flagship of the commander-in-chief there. She became caught up in the tensions leading up to the outbreak of the American Revolution when she was sent to support the Boston commissioners enforcing the Townshend Acts in 1768. Her actions involved impressing local sailors, confiscating a vessel belonging to John Hancock and providing a refuge for the unpopular commissioners when rioting broke out. She remained in American waters for part of the ensuing war, but towards the end had shifted to operate in European waters after the French entry to the conflict.
A bit more about The Romney ‘s interesting role in revolutionary America:
While serving off North America, Romney achieved a degree of notoriety after being sent to Boston Harbour to support the commissioners, who had asked Hood for help in enforcing the Townshend Acts.[4]Romney arrived on 17 May 1768, but being short of men, Captain Corner began to impress seamen from the harbour. This was unpopular with the locals, who took to attacking the impress gangs. Events escalated when the commissioners in the town ordered the seizure of the merchant vessel Liberty, which belonged to John Hancock.[4] When sailors and marines from Romney attempted to seize the vessel, mobs attacked them and then turned on the commissioners. Many of the officials took refuge aboard the Romney, before transferring to Castle William.[5] These incidents heightened tensions that would eventually lead to the Boston Massacre in 1770.[5]
So, “Romney” has been a symbol of aristocratic ‘out-of-touchiness’ in American history for 250 years.
