This is the second in a series.

During the first months of the American rebellion, the rebel focus was upon turning the local militia surrounding Boston into a trained army. The Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia paid little attention to the fact that England possessed not only one of the worlds greatest armies, but the largest Navy as well.

Events that took place during the fall of 1775 brought the issue to its attention and would forever change the role that the Jersey Shore would play in winning independence.

The 13 colonies had no Navy or coastal fortifications to protect their seaport towns.