Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, FEbrUAry 7, 2025 ~ The Old Sachem ~ Days of “the Powder Monkeys” I By Bill Stewart n the days of sail, naval battles were fought by ships commanded by distinguished captains who won many battles in what we would call a foul situation in which many young boys would be known as powder monkeys. These were prominent in Europe, especially on English vessels, and eventually were used by the U.S. Navy in battles. A powder monkey was a boy as young as 12 who would ferry gunpowder to the artillery guns. It was dangerous handling gunpowder and can8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Tues. - Sat. at 4:00 PM Closed Sun. & Mon. Announcing our Classic Specials Dine In Only: * FREE Salad with purchase of Entree, Tuesdays & Wednesdays * Cheese Pizza - Only $10 Catch ALL The Live Sports Action On Our Large Screen TV’s Scan & Follow Us on Facebook! nonballs. The boys had to be small but fast and they did not hold any official position or naval ranking. Many of these lads came from deprived backgrounds where their parents could not afford to raise them, or were boys without parents. The English Marine Society encouraged young boys to join the Royal Navy. The Navy, in turn, gave the boys a bed, clothing and a basic education. The Marine Society was set up by Jonas Hanway, a philanthropist with ideas about finding use for the great number of orphans in city streets. His plan was to take them in, give them a rudimentary education and then send them to the Navy for a career. Thousands of boys became powder monkeys; it was estimated that about 500 boys were being sent to the fl eet every year by the end of the eighteenth century. Many of the boys used were www.810bargrille.com victims of press-gangs and impressment. The forced conscription was conducted by crew members to have enough youngsters on their ship. It also fi t the situation, in that below decks the lads could move about in the low spaces much easier than the sailors, who had to duck below. If you have ever been on the USS Constitution in the Boston shipyard, you realize that young lads could more easily move about beneath the deck. Some of these lads were placed in this position by their fathers who had served previously in their youth, and considered that the Navy was good for their boy. The U.S. Navy started using young lads – powder monkeys – in the late 1700s, following the practice of England. In their battles in the War of 1812, both sides employed young boys because of their ability to move under the lower ceiling of the underdeck, and also many were available. The U.S. Navy would not allow boys younger than 12 to serve as powder monkeys, and they served until the Spanish-American War at the end of the nineteenth century. The U.S. Navy used powder monkeys in the American Civil War for the same reasons as before. Their reduced height made it easier for the youngsters to move about below deck. There were some notable powder monkeys in the Civil War. James Machon, a “boy,” worked on the USS Brooklyn, which was used along with 17 other ships to blockade the English from moving into Fort Morgan near Mobile, Alabama. Jim was 16 at the time and his ship was rammed by the CSS Tennessee. Many crew members of the USS Brooklyn were injured or killed, but Jim continued to haul firearms and “The Old Sachem,” Bill Stewart. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Joanie Allbee) gunpowder. He kept many alive with his actions and eventually the Tennessee was destroyed and surrendered to the United States. Oscar Peck and George Hollat were aboard the USS Varuna during the sea battles at Fort Jackson and St. Philip to take control of New Orleans. James Machon, Oscar Peck and George Hollat earned the Medal of Honor from the American government. Eventually the U.S. forces required youngsters to be at least 18, and with larger underdecks on ships, the sailors were not required to be short. (Editor’s Note: Bill Stewart, who is better known to Saugus Advocate readers as “The Old Sachem,” writes a weekly column – sometimes about sports. He also opines on current or historical events or famous people.) — Vinyl Siding — Carpentry Work — Decks — Roofing — Free Estimates — Replacement Windows — Fully Licensed — Fully Insured
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