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During the spring of 1772 the British armed schooner "Gaspee" remained in Narragansett Bay and annoyed the inhabitants along the coast by excessive zeal in the suppression of smuggling. Chief Justice Hopkins, of Rhode Island, sent a sheriff on board to know by what authority Dudingston, her commander, acted, and found he was upheld by the British admiral. June 9, the " Gaspee " gave chase to the " Providence," a small packet, and ran aground near Pawtuxet. That night a party of citizens attacked her, wounded and captured Dudingston and the crew, and burned the " Gaspee." Efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice failed.