Final answer:
While the text does not specifically mention Sullivan's Island, the Patriots thwarted the British there by using a palmetto log fort, under Colonel Moultrie's command, to absorb and withstand British cannon fire, repelling the fleet's assault on June 28, 1776.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regarding how the Patriots thwarted the British at Sullivan's Island seems a bit misplaced, as the provided text does not specifically mention Sullivan's Island, which was the site of a significant battle in the American Revolutionary War.
Instead, the text outlines various engagements and strategies during the broader Revolutionary War, such as the British efforts in New York, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the naval actions including the USS Constitution. It does touch on the groundwork laid by Continental forces in fortifying critical locations and creating obstructions to impede the British Navy. Nevertheless, to answer the question related to Sullivan's Island based on historical accounts:
The Patriots were able to thwart the British at Sullivan's Island by constructing a palmetto log fort (Fort Sullivan, later named Fort Moultrie) that absorbed the impact of British cannon fire. On June 28, 1776, under the command of Colonel William Moultrie, the Patriot defenders repelled the British fleet's assault, preventing them from taking the strategically important Charleston harbor.