The Burning of the customs schooner the HMS Gaspee was the first act of war against the British in the Revolutionary War. Lt. William Dudingston was sent to Naragansett Bay in March of 1772 to enforce the Stamp Act. Dudingston was greeted with much deserved animosity from colonists and smugglers alike. He made sport harassing and stopping colonial ships, including those that had already passed through customs.

Early on June 9, 1772 gave chase to the sloop Hannah under the command of one Captain Lindsey. Lindsey had already passed through customs at Newport, so he decided to flee from Dudingston. Lindsey led his smaller ship over a sandbar, and the British, who were less familiar with the waters followed. The schooner stuck fast in the sand and Lindsey reached safe harbor in Providence.

Upon arriving in Providence, Lindsey contacted John Brown, his employer and one of the most prominent citizens in Rhode Island at the time. Brown organized a meeting of 'concered citizens' at Sabin's Tavern.

The conspirators decided that action was needed to end Dudingstons reign of terror. Under the command of Abraham Whipple, a band of men in eight boats rowed out to the Gapsee under the cover of darkness. Dundingston issued a challenge, whereupon he was shot in the groin and wounded. The men quickly stormed the vessel and placed the captive sailors in boats, they then put torch to the vessel and rowed away. The Gaspee burned until the powder magazine ignited, destroying the ship.

Although the British government offered substantial rewards for the perpetrators, they never learned their identities.