Scott G. Haron

On this day

Oct 18 1775
To punish them for supporting the Patriots, British ships bombarded and set fire to Falmouth, Maine, destroying the majority of the town. Captain Henry Mowat, in command of the fleet, said he would withhold fire if the town swore an oath of allegiance to King George and also surrender all their small arms, powder and gun carriages. No oaths were sworn. A small number of muskets were surrendered, but no gun carriages.