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Esek Hopkins (1718-1802)...commanded a privateer in the French and Indian War; 1775, appointed Commander in Chief of the newly established Continental Navy. After a dispute with the Continental Congress, he was suspended from command in 1777 and then dismissed from the service in 1778. Hopkins is known as the "First Admiral" of the American Navy. Side Note: Stephen Hopkins was Esek's brother. Stephen was colonial governor of Rhode Island, a political leader in the American Revolution and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. |