When we left Capt. James Mugford, he was aboard his ship the Franklin following the successful capture of the British powder ship Hope. Mugford and his crew overtook the Hope, which was an amazing accomplishment. The Franklin was a schooner of 60 tons with only four small cannons, and the Hope was a transport ship of 300 tons with 10 large guns. Mugford forced the Hope into a tidal inlet where she was grounded in the low tide. Once the ship was immobile, the Hope was stripped of everything that could be of use. It was a great prize, consisting of 1,500 barrels of gunpowder and many weapons, and was a great boost to the patriotic cause. Some of the tools from the Hope, including the carpenter’s square and compass which are owned by the Masonic Lodge, ended up in Marblehead.
When Mugford and the Franklin set out to sea again, they became victims of the same low tide. British vessels in the area soon realized their advantage and moved in to take their revenge. The Marblehead crew fought back with all their strength and a vicious battle ensued. Mugford was shot and fell to the deck of the Franklin. Mortally wounded and aware that he was dying, Mugford urged his men to keep fighting and save the ship. The crew rallied and fought on, and finally the tide turned in their favor and the Franklin was free. Mugford, shot and killed on his birthday, May 19, 1776, was the only casualty on the American side.
Marblehead mourned his loss and rejoiced in the bravery of one of their own. He was then, and is still considered, a hero. A monument to the brave and daring young Mugford was erected in 1876, and now stands on Old Burial Hill. Mugford’s contribution to the cause of freedom was significant, and he has been honored by the U.S. Navy by having two ships named the USS Mugford. The first was a destroyer, launched in 1918, and the second was a destroyer launched in 1937, which served through World War II. The second USS Mugford was christened by Madeline Orne of Marblehead who was a Mugford descendant.
Pam Peterson chairs the Marblehead Historical Commission. She is the former Marblehead Museum executive director.
