The Pennsylvania State Navy was responsible for defense of the Delaware river when Philadelphia was occupied by British General Sir William Howe, where the Royal Navy wanted to control the rive to resupply Howe's army. At first the combined Pennsylvania and Continental fleet was successful, repulsing one attempt by the British to pass the defenses of Forts Mercer and Mifflin on October 22 and 23, 1777 with the destruction of two British war ships, the HMS "Augusta" and HMS "Merlin", under the command of Admiral Francis Reynolds. The two forts were later taken by land forces in November, and Commodore John Hazelwood's fleet was then forced to withdraw upriver. Unfavorable winds slowed their progress, and four ships ("Montgomery", "Delaware", "Arnold", and "Putnam") were burned to prevent their capture.