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 XII

THE SURRENDER OF BOSTON

combined sea and land expedition for the capture of Boston by a surprise attack consisted of a division of dreadnoughts, some destroyers, a flotilla of six submarines, and a landing force of 5,000 picked veterans of the European war.

The defences of Boston consisted of seven forts. Two of these, Fort Heath and Fort Banks, were built on the eastern shore of the peninsula which incloses Boston Harbor on the north. The others were advantageously placed on five of the islands which cover the approaches to the harbor. Three of these, Forts Standish, Warren, and Revere, formed the outer line of defence; the inner line consisted of Forts Strong and Andrews. They were heavily 124