On May 13-14, 1775, the first naval battle of the American Revolution took place off the shore of Fairhaven when the local militia, under the command of Nathaniel Pope and Daniel Egery, captured two British sloops in Buzzard’s Bay. Shortly afterward, the fort at Nobscot (or Nolscot) Point was constructed. The fort was destroyed in 1778, was rebuilt and named Fort Phoenix, after the mythical bird that rose from its own ashes.
On May 7, 2025, the Fairhaven Village Militia commemorated that battle with a tour of the bunker where the ammunition was stored; demonstrations from militia members, such as starting a fire with flint; and the firing of one of the civil war era cannons.
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, and events are schedule throughout the the country all year. To find out what’s happening in the state, visit Massachusetts 250 at https://massachusetts250.org. Learn more about events around the country at https://america250.org/about-america250/
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- A drone shot shows the plume as a Civil War era cannon is fired as part of the program to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War, which was fought off the shore of Fairhaven. Photo courtesy of Fairhaven TV.
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- Fairhaven Village Militia member, John Garcia, explains the uses of the bunker on the grounds of Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven on 5/7/25 as part of the program to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War, which was fought off the shore of Fairhaven. Photo courtesy of Fairhaven TV.
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