In 1768, the British government sent the ship the HMS Romney to Boston Harbor to enforce the Townshend Acts, a series of taxation laws against the American colonies that led to the Boston Tea Party and the American revolution. The ship impressed American sailors, seized a ship belong to John Hancock, and served as a refuge for tax officials from angry mobs.

In 1768, the British government sent the ship the HMS Romney to Boston Harbor to enforce the Townshend Acts, a series of taxation laws against the American colonies that led to the Boston Tea Party and the American revolution. The ship impressed American sailors, seized a ship belong to John Hancock, and served as a refuge for tax officials from angry mobs.