On reaching the side of the American sloop, John O’Brien was promptly assisted on board. As he stepped upon the deck of the “Unity,” his brother, Captain Jeremiah, grasped him by the hand, exclaiming, as he did so:
“Brother John, you’ve won the palm;” and then addressing his men, he continued: “But man the sweeps, my hearties, and lay us alongside once more, and stand ready to fasten on to him when you reach him.”
For the second time the two vessels came together; and this time, in accordance with orders, they were fastened together.[[23]] The “Margaretta” was boarded, and in an hour’s time was captured, and was taken in triumph up the river to Machias, reaching the wharf at about sunset of the same day, which was the 12th of June, 1775. Captain Moore, the gallant commander of the captured British vessel, was mortally wounded, and died next day in Machias.
John O’Brien, as a recognition of the conspicuous bravery exhibited by him in the capture of the “Margaretta,” was sent, by the Machias Committee of Safety to the Provincial Congress, then in session at Watertown, Massachusetts, to officially inform that body of the brilliant victory won, and to ask protection for the feeble settlements in eastern Maine, including Machias.
The news of the splendid victory in Machias Bay spread rapidly through the Colonies, and everywhere the colonists were stirred with the ambition to emulate the achievement of the Machias lumbermen.
The “Unity” was at once fitted out as a cruiser, the armament of the “Margaretta” being transferred to her. She was re-named the “Machias Liberty,”[[24]] and Captain Jeremiah O’Brien was appointed as her commander.
After the capture, in July, 1775, of the British armed vessels “Diligence” and “Tapnaquish,” near Buck’s harbor, in which captures John O’Brien, on his brother Jeremiah’s vessel took part, the former vessel was refitted as an American cruiser. Of the “Machias Liberty” (or “O’Brien”), Jeremiah O’Brien was continued as commander; and his younger brother, William, was appointed First Lieutenant. John Lambert was appointed to the command of the “Diligence,” and John O’Brien was appointed as First Lieutenant. The “Diligence” had a crew of forty men, and carried eight guns and twenty swivels.
For nearly a year, the “Machias Liberty” and the “Diligence,” by order of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, cruised, chiefly up and down the eastern coast, protecting American shipping, and capturing British prizes. John O’Brien contributed in no small measure to the success of the cruise. Sometime in the early part of 1776 the “Diligence” was laid up; but the “Machias Liberty” was continued a few months longer in the Provincial service.
During the night following its capture, the “Margaretta” was taken up Middle River, a branch of the Machias River, a few miles, and there beached.[[25]] “We cut down trees and bushes and enclosed her from view so much as we could and returned to Machias in season for a late breakfast,” said one who took an active part in the disposal of the captured British schooner.
Early in the autumn of 1776, John O’Brien, and a few others, uncovered and floated the “Margaretta,” and brought her down the Middle River and fitted her out as a privateer. New sails were made, a few five-pounders were placed on board; and with a crew of about twenty men she set sail, under the command of Captain John O’Brien, in search of British prizes, of which he brought several into Machias.