Thursday, March 19, 2020

Essay on The most Beautiful Day of My Life Essays

Essay on The most Beautiful Day of My Life Essays Essay on The most Beautiful Day of My Life Essay Essay on The most Beautiful Day of My Life Essay Essay Topic: Life Is Beautiful I stepped out of the hotel, the big bright sun was upon us like bees with their honey. It was around 4 oclock in the evening and I was already tired. The teachers were explaining how the hike today was going to be the hardest. Listing to them, there was a bit of regret that started building from the pit of my stomach. What if I went to Strasbourg? Would it be easier? While my series of thoughts were flashing in my mind, I opened my black bag once again to check if I had brought everything that I needed. I was mentally checking my packing list as pools of students started filling outside the hotel. Ms. Shippey finally got our attention, she informed us that there is a 10-minute walk to Stromboli. I groaned internally and thought, â€Å"why couldnt we take a minibus or something!†. After the longest 10 minutes walk, my shirt had a big stain of sweat on the back, my forehead was dripping from sweat as if I decided to dump my entire water bottle on my head. I started to feel sticky, a great way to start a hike! We meet up with two tall men, wearing the same gear and with a pair of black hiking poles each. They were our guides, they talked to us about ways they were going to explain the geography of Stromboli. They were also strict that about every 25 minutes we would have a break, not before and not after. Listing to them at first made me feel at ease, but what came next is what causes the real shock. 5 minutes into the hike, I was done for. My legs started to feel like they weighed 1000 tons each and my throat was dry as the Sahara no matter how much water I drink. The hot sun was like my shadow, and sweat was like my second skin. I really started to regret coming to Sicily. My friends were walking ahead of me creating a cloud of ash behind them. The air quickly turned to be thick. I couldnt breathe from my nose anymore, it felt like I had stapled my nose about 100 times, no space for the oxygen to get in. I started breathing from the mouth, but it as useful as a white color pencil. 2 hours into the hike and I could finally breathe. We were about 500 meters up, the rocks now have changed. There were all shapes of rocks scattered everywhere, they had a pigmentation of either black or dark brown. The way to walk up was narrow, and every time I walked up a narrow lane I would hold my breath and pray to god that I survive. After about 2 hours we were finally on top of Stromboli. My skin now had a second layer of goosebumps, I hugged myself as I make my way up to the final destination. The hike already seemed to be worth it. The sun was still out, but this time it gave me warmth. The blue ocean was in the background, it looked so calm, almost making it dangerous. The sky was painted a baby blue and accompanying them were birds; spreading their wings and flying away. We were standing at a point where everything looked like a Picasso painting. The teachers asked us to hurry up, Mr. Ashworth said, â€Å"This is not even the best part yet!† A small walk and we were finally on top, looking down, we can see a beautiful cone made up of a dark brown rock; the volcano itself. Next to the volcano were two craters; they were like mini volcanoes. I was about to sit down, but a sound almost like a thunder stopped me. I looked towards the big volcanoes and the next thing I see is hot, red lava sprinkling out of the volcano, it looked like Jet dEau back home except it wasnt water, it was lava. After that eruption followed a numerous amount of others. The volcanoes were magical, seeing the eruptions felt like going to Disneyland for the first time when you were a kid. The volcanoes were surrounded by the still water and directly above is the light of a dazzling sun. I sat down on the thick layer of ash, that was warm due to the eruptions. All my regrets were gone, I felt like someone who went to a concert of their favorite band or singer. After a few more eruptions, there was a thick white gas that was making it way upon us. We all started coughing, the gas-filled my lungs trying to be the replica of oxygen. Soon we were given masks and it got much better. After spending an hour upon Stromboli, we were making our way down. The guides had asked us to wear our gaiters and they informed us that the hike down was going to be easy. I instantly fell into a peaceful state. We were going straight down digging our legs into the thick layer of brownish ash. We looked like kangaroos skipping and jumping our way down. The ash was like a mixture of sand and burnt paper mixed together. We quickly made our way down, sometimes taking a break to clear our hiking boots from volcanic ash. Today was the most beautiful day of my life, it was magical and surreal. Even though the volcanoes looked like mountains with no vegetation on them, they were still beautiful. They belonged there and so did everything surrounding. What I realized because of this hike is that I am never going to regret this hike.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Battle of Nassau in the American Revolution

Battle of Nassau in the American Revolution The Battle of Nassau was fought March 3-4, 1776, during the American Revolution (1775-1783). In 1776, an American squadron commanded by Commodore Esek Hopkins descended on the Bahamas with the goal of capturing weapons and ammunition for the Continental Army. The first major operation for the newly-created Continental Navy and Continental Marines, the expedition arrived off Nassau in early March. Landing, American forces succeeded in capturing the island and a large cache of weapons, but some hesitation after coming ashore allowed the British to spirit away much of the islands gunpowder. Though the operation proved successful, Hopkins was later criticized for failing to achieve other assigned objectives and his performance during the return voyage. Background With the beginning of the American Revolution in April 1775, the Governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, directed that the colonys supply of arms and gunpowder be removed to Nassau, Bahamas lest it be captured by colonial forces. Received by Governor Montfort Browne, these munitions were stored in Nassau under the protection of the harbors defenses, Forts Montagu and Nassau. Despite these fortifications, General Thomas Gage, commanding British forces in Boston, warned Browne that an American attack would be possible. In October 1775, the Second Continental Congress formed the Continental Navy and began purchasing merchant vessels and converting them for use as warships. The following month saw the creation of the Continental Marines under the guidance of Captain Samuel Nicholas. As Nicholas recruited men ashore, Commodore Esek Hopkins began assembling a squadron at Philadelphia. This consisted of Alfred (30 guns), Columbus (28), Andrew Doria (14), Cabot (14), Providence (12), and Fly (6). Hopkins Sails After taking command in December, Hopkins received orders from Congress Marine Committee which directed him to clear British naval forces from the Chesapeake Bay and North Carolina coast. In addition, they gave him some latitude to pursue operations that could be â€Å"most beneficial to the American Cause† and â€Å"distress the Enemy by all means in your power.† Joining Hopkins aboard his flagship, Alfred, Nicholas and the rest of the squadron began moving down the Delaware River on January 4, 1776. Battling heavy ice, the American ships remained near Reedy Island for six weeks before finally reaching Cape Henlopen on February 14. There, Hopkins was joined by Hornet (10) and Wasp (14) which arrived from Baltimore. Before sailing, Hopkins elected to take advantage of the discretionary aspects of his orders and began planning a strike against Nassau. He was aware that a large amount of munitions were on the island and that these supplies were badly needed by General George Washingtons army which was besieging Boston. Commodore Esek Hopkins. Public Domain   Departing Cape Henlopen on February 17, Hopkins told his captains to rendezvous at Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas should the squadron become separated. Two days later, the squadron encountered rough seas off the Virginia Capes leading to a collision between Hornet and Fly. Though both returned to port for repairs, the latter succeeded in rejoining Hopkins on March 11. In late February, Browne received intelligence that an American force was forming off the Delaware coast. Though aware of a possible attack, he elected not to take any action as he believed the harbor forts sufficient to defend Nassau. This proved unwise as Fort Nassaus walls were too weak to support the firing of its guns. While Fort Nassau was located near the town proper, the newer Fort Montagu covered the harbors eastern approaches and mounted seventeen guns. Both forts were poorly sited in regard to defending against an amphibious attack. Battle of Nassau Conflict: American Revolution (1775-1783)Dates: March 3-4, 1776Fleets Commanders:AmericansCommodore Esek HopkinsCaptain Samuel Nicholas2 frigates, 2 brigs, 1 schooner, 1 sloopBritishGovernor Montfort Browne110 men The Americans Land Reaching Hole-In-The-Wall at the south end of Great Abaco Island on March 1, 1776, Hopkins quickly captured two small British sloops. Pressing these into service, the squadron moved against Nassau the following day. For the attack, Nicholas 200 Marines along with 50 sailors were transferred to Providence and the two captured sloops. Hopkins intended for the three vessels to enter the port at dawn on March 3. The troops would then quickly land and secure the town. Approaching the harbor in the morning light, Providence and its consorts were spotted by the defenders who opened fire. With the element of surprise lost, the three vessels aborted the attack and rejoined Hopkins squadron at nearby Hanover Sound. Ashore, Browne began making plans to remove much of the islands gunpowder using vessels in the harbor as well as dispatched thirty men to reinforce Fort Montagu. Meeting, Hopkins and Nicholas quickly developed a new plan which called for landings on the eastern side of the island. Covered by Wasp, the landings commenced around noon as Nicholas men came ashore near Fort Montagu. As Nicholas consolidated his men, a British lieutenant from Fort Montagu approached under a flag of truce. When asked of his intentions, the American commander replied that they sought to capture the islands munitions. This information was conveyed to Browne who had arrived at the fort with reinforcements. Badly outnumbered, the governor decided to withdraw the bulk of the forts garrison back to Nassau. Pressing forward, Nicholas captured the fort later in the day, but elected not to drive on the town. Capture of Nassau As Nicholas held his position at Fort Montagu, Hopkins issued a proclamation to the islands residents stating, To the Gentlemen, Freemen, Inhabitants of the Island of New Providence: The reasons of my landing an armed force on the island is in order to take possession of the powder and warlike stores belonging to the Crown, and if I am not opposed in putting my design in execution the persons and property of the inhabitants shall be safe, neither shall they be suffered to be hurt in case they make no resistance.† While this had the desired effect of preventing civilian interference with his operations, the failure to carry the town on March 3 allowed Browne to embark most of the islands gunpowder on two vessels. These sailed for St. Augustine around 2:00 a.m. on March 4 and cleared the harbor with no issues as Hopkins had failed to post any of his ships at its mouth.The next morning, Nicholas advanced on Nassau and was met by the towns leaders who offered up its keys. Approaching Fort Nassau, the Americans occupied it and seized Browne without a fight. In securing the town, Hopkins captured eighty-eight cannon and fifteen mortars as well as variety of other much-needed supplies. Remaining on the island for two weeks, the Americans embarked the spoils before departing on March 17. Sailing north, Hopkins intended to make port at Newport, RI. Nearing Block Island, the squadron captured the schooner Hawk on April 4 and the brig Bolton the next day. From the prisoners, Hopkins learned that a large British force was operating off Newport. With this news, he elected to sail west with the goal of reaching New London, CT. Action of April 6 During the early hours of April, Captain Tyringham Howe of HMS Glasgow (20) spotted the American squadron. Determining from their rigging that the ships were merchantmen, he closed with the goal of taking several prizes. Approaching Cabot, Glasgow quickly came under fire. The next several hours saw Hopkins inexperienced captains and crews fail to defeat the outnumbered and out-gunned British ship. Before Glasgow escaped, Howe succeeded in disabling both Alfred and Cabot. Making the necessary repairs, Hopkins and his ships limped into New London two days later. Aftermath The fighting on April 6 saw the Americans suffer 10 killed and 13 wounded against 1 dead and three wounded aboard Glasgow. As news of the expedition spread, Hopkins and his men were initially celebrated and lauded for their efforts. This proved short-lived as complaints about the failure to capture Glasgow and the behavior of some of the squadrons captains grew. Hopkins also came under fire for failing to execute his orders to sweep the Virginia and North Carolina coasts as well as his division of the raids spoils. Commodore John Paul Jones. Hulton Archive / Stringer/ Hulton Archive/ Getty Images After a series of political machinations, Hopkins was relieved of his command in early 1778. Despite the fallout, the raid provided much-needed supplies for the Continental Army as well as gave young officers, such as John Paul Jones, experience. Held prisoner, Browne was later exchanged for Brigadier General William Alexander, Lord Stirling who had been captured by the British at the Battle of Long Island. Though criticized for his handling of attack on Nassau, Browne later formed the Loyalist Prince of Wales American Regiment and saw service at the Battle of Rhode Island.