Andrew Romine

Personal History

Significant Events of 1779

• The American ship Bonhomme Richard, commanded by John Paul Jones, engages the British ship HMS Serapis. The Bonhomme Richard sinks, but the Americans board the Serapis and other vessels, and are victorious.
• Benedict Arnold is court-martialed for malfeasance, in his treatment of government property. He defected to the British the following year.
• American forces, led by Commodore Dudley Saltonstall, launch the Penobscot Expedition in what is now Castine, Maine, resulting in the worst naval defeat in U.S. history (until Pearl Harbor).
• John Adams appointed to negotiate Revolutionary War peace terms with Great Britain.
• The US Army Corps of Engineers established by Congress.
• Captain James Cook is killed on the Sandwich Islands, on his third voyage.
• Spain declares war on Great Britain in support of France and the USA, starting the Great Siege of Gibraltar which goes on to last 3 years, 7 months and 2 weeks.
• “The Iron Bridge” is erected across the River Severn in Shropshire, the world’s first bridge built entirely of cast iron.
• The Smethwick Engine (a Watt steam engine made by Boulton and Watt) was brought into service and installed near Birmingham, England. It is the oldest working steam engine and the oldest working engine in the world.