Esek Hopkins was born on April 26, 1718 in Scituate to a distinguished Rhode Island household. Hopkins grew to become a service provider and sea captain and in 1764, was in charge of the slave ship Sally, recognized for a disastrous 15-month voyage that resulted within the demise of 109 out of 196 slaves on board. The tragedy led many in Rhode Island (together with Moses Brown) to develop into opponents of the slave commerce.
In December 1775, he was appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy. Hopkins served in that place till 1778, when he was relieved of command as a consequence of studies that he tortured British prisoners. He later served within the Rhode Island Common Meeting.
His brother Stephen Hopkins was a Rhode Island Governor and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Hopkins was within the information not too long ago when the Windfall Faculty Division voted to rename Esek Hopkins Center Faculty as a consequence of his involvement with the slave commerce and the tragic voyage of the Sally.
