Battle of Shirley Gut is fought.
May 19, 1776
The fishing smack Franklin, under the command of Capt. James Mugford of Marblehead, is attacked by British ships when it runs aground between Winthrop and Deer Island. Mugford is killed, but the ship repels the British and returns safely to Marblehead Harbor. Two days earlier, the Franklin had captured the British powder ship Hope and brought her into Boston Harbor.