The second USS Revenge was a cutter in the Continental Navy and later a privateer .
99-680: Gustavus Conyngham (about 1747 – 27 November 1819) was an Irish-born American merchant sea captain, an officer in the Continental Navy and a privateer . As a commissioned captain fighting the British in the American Revolutionary War , he captured 24 ships in the eastern Atlantic between May 1777 and May 1778, bringing the expenses associated with British shipping to a then all-time high. He has been called "the most successful of all Continental Navy captains". Conyngham's story begins in
198-471: A Committee of three be appointed to prepare an estimate of the expence, and lay the same before the Congress, and to contract with proper persons to fit out the vessel. Resolved , that another vessel be fitted out for the same purposes, and that the said committee report their opinion of a proper vessel, and also an estimate of the expence. The United States Navy decided in 1971 to recognize October 13, 1775 as
297-581: A century later, John Barnes , a retired navy captain and naval historian, acquired a cache of autographs and documents from a sale by Charavay of Paris. In the collection was Conyngham's commission from Benjamin Franklin. Barnes published his discovery in September 1902. Three ships in the United States Navy have been named USS Conyngham for him and Conyngham Borough , Luzerne County , Pennsylvania ,
396-508: A daring escape. Despite their best efforts though, the wind died shortly after, leaving them stranded once again. This time, instead of waiting to be captured, Conyngham sold the Charming Peggy to the Dutch government in order to be able to purchase a new ship when under less suspicion. However, due to corruption and embezzlement within the government itself, he was never given any profits from
495-671: A delaying action on the Delaware River against the British army pursuing George Washington 's forces. The ebb tide arrived and left the Delaware stranded, leading to her capture. Warren was blockaded in Providence, Rhode Island , shortly after her completion, and did not break out of the blockade until March 8, 1778. After a successful cruise under Captain John Burroughs Hopkins , she
594-403: A fleet commanded by Vice Admiral Charles Henri, comte d'Estaing assisted American forces attempting to recapture Savannah, Georgia . In 1780, a fleet with 6,000 troops commanded by Lieutenant General Jean-Baptiste, comte de Rochambeau landed at Newport, Rhode Island; shortly afterward, the British blockaded the fleet. In early 1781, Washington and de Rochambeau planned an attack against
693-475: A land war with Britain. The Continental Navy had variable success in its goals of intercepting shipments of British matériel and disrupting British maritime commerce, meeting with success in only limited circumstances and ultimately having little impact on the outcome of the war. The fleet did, however, serve to highlight Continental resolve and bolster American morale, for example launching Captain John Barry into
792-598: A move which Captain Nicholas Biddle described: "away we all went helter, skelter, one flying here, another there." On Lake Champlain, Benedict Arnold ordered the construction of 12 war vessels to slow down the British fleet that was invading New York from Canada. The British fleet destroyed Arnold's fleet, but the US fleet managed to slow down the British after a two-day battle, known as the Battle of Valcour Island , and managed to slow
891-555: A plan to seize ships from the convoy in question. On June 12, 1775, the Rhode Island General Assembly , meeting at East Greenwich , passed a resolution creating a navy for the colony of Rhode Island. The same day, Governor Nicholas Cooke signed orders addressed to Captain Abraham Whipple , commander of the sloop Katy and commodore of the armed vessels employed by the government. The first formal movement for
990-412: A private profit. However, during one of his first cruises he was unable to outrun the British warship HMS Galatea , and was taken aboard as a prisoner. As his notoriety had grown since his last capture, he was given shabby treatment by his guards. By his own report he was kept in irons until he reached prison, and was given no more than a "cold plank as my bed, a stone for a pillow". Additionally, he
1089-662: A privateer, Revenge operated briefly under charter protecting shipping on the Delaware River . Revenge sailed from the Delaware Capes in April, in a quest for prizes. Conyngham was again Revenge ' s commander and, now, her part-owner. However, her luck had changed. HMS Galatea captured Revenge on 27 April 1779 as Revenge chased two privateers off the New York coast. [REDACTED] This article incorporates text from
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#17330848468271188-523: A ship carrying valuable wartime supplies, which he deemed worthy of an escort to American shores. He arrived in Philadelphia on 21 February 1779 with his goods in tow. It was then that his luck began to turn sour. It is ironic that the first friendly port Conyngham had seen in years would treat him so poorly. Though the local newspapers hailed him as a returning war hero , the Continental Congress
1287-471: A surrogate father to the young Gustavus. Eventually Conyngham progressed enough to be given charge over his own craft, the Charming Peggy . When the Revolutionary War began in 1775, he immediately sailed to Europe to try to procure supplies needed for the war effort. Because Great Britain was patrolling for any arms deals, he had arranged a transaction with Dutch traders in order to safely transfer
1386-404: A swift sailing vessel, to carry ten carriage guns, and a proportionable number of swivels, with eighty men, be fitted, with all possible despatch, for a cruise of three months, and that the commander be instructed to cruize eastward, for intercepting such transports as may be laden with warlike stores and other supplies for our enemies, and for such other purposes as the Congress shall direct. That
1485-485: A thorough inventory of ship's stores, provisions and equipage and then the ongoing commander had to sign for it. Pursers were civilian officers in civilian clothes who had learned their job as supercargoes in the colonial merchant marines. There were very few pursers serving in the Continental Navy as it was more profitable for competent persons to take employment with the large number of privateers outfitted during
1584-485: A tunnel extending "a considerable distance" underneath the outer wall of the prison. Had a boy's arm not been broken during the scramble for the exit, alerting the sentries, hundreds more prisoners may have escaped with him. After his escape, Conyngham fled to Texel Island in the Netherlands to try to find a way back to America where he could potentially receive a new ship. His spirits were high – he reported later that he
1683-641: A typical fashion for the era. Born in County Donegal , Ireland , in 1747, he came to British America in 1763 seeking a better life. Conyngham immigrated to Philadelphia in order to work for his cousin Redmond Conyngham in the shipping industry . He abandoned school at a young age, sensing that his destiny lay not in the academic world, but on the oceans. Here he learned and perfected his seamanship skills, becoming an apprentice to Captain Henderson, who became
1782-695: The Baltic and North Sea . He then sailed to Cap Ferrol in order to resupply and replace his crew. He then headed to the West Indies , continuing to use Spain as his primary base of operations. Over the next eighteen months he captured or sunk sixty ships, causing a 10% rise in British shipping insurance rates between Dover and Calais. This brought the expenses associated with shipping to their all-time highest level, outpacing their rates even during England's wars with France and Spain. Dozens of merchants resorted to paying French and Dutch ships to carry their goods for fear of
1881-578: The British Isles before she put in at Kinehead on the northwestern coast of Ireland to repair her bowsprit and to replenish her casks of fresh water. Conyngham, who had been sending his prizes to ports in Spain , now himself headed for the Bay of Biscay , putting in at Ferrol . In the coming months, Revenge made several cruises from Spanish ports and captured many prizes. On one of the cruises, Conyngham transited
1980-567: The Caribbean added several other ships, including two British privateers , to her score before Revenge arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 21 February 1779, laden with arms and munitions for the Continental Army in South Carolina . The cutter was sold at public auction by an act of Congress of 12 March 1779. Soon after the sale to a firm of Philadelphia merchants for service as
2079-618: The Straits of Gibraltar and operated in the Mediterranean Sea ; and, on another, he sailed to the Azores and the Canary Islands . Captured brig "Black Prince" 22 August 1777. Captured French brig "Gracieux", later released after Spanish government protest. In March, 1778 she captured sloop "Betsy" on 10th, snow "Fanny" on the 12th, and brigantine "Peace & harmony" from a convoy. Betsy
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#17330848468272178-654: The Surprise , Conyngham immediately set to work terrorizing British shipping with twice the ferocity of before. It was here that he earned his nickname "the Dunkirk Pirate", ignoring his written orders to proceed directly to the American coastline for logistical support and resupply and instead heading directly to Dunkirk to begin his cruise against the British. In his first cruise, he averaged one ship every three days, sinking or capturing over twenty ships during his two-month stay in
2277-941: The USS Alliance was sold in 1785, the naval establishment of the United States ceased to exist without any formal decision. The original three members of the Naval Committee were Silas Deane , John Langdon and Christopher Gadsden . The additional four were Stephen Hopkins , Joseph Hewes , Richard Henry Lee and John Adams . The thirteen original members of the Marine Committee were Josiah Bartlett , N.H.; John Hancock , Mass.; Stephen Hopkins, R.I.; Silas Deane, Conn.; Francis Lewis , N.Y.; Stephen Crane , N.J.; Robert Morris, Pa.; George Read , Del.; Samuel Chase , Md.; Richard Henry Lee, Va.; Joseph Hewes, N.C.; Christopher Gadsden, S.C. and John Houstoun , Ga. Original members of
2376-573: The Alliance at a Spanish port in order to board a ship headed for American shores. However, it was here that Conyngham's luck ran out once again. While aboard the Experiment en route to America, he was recaptured by the British on 17 March 1780, and sent back to Mill Prison in Plymouth. He remained there until his release due to a political prisoner exchange. This time, he headed for Ostend , where he obtained
2475-771: The American Revolution. France officially entered the war on June 17, 1778. Still, the ships that the French sent to the Western Hemisphere spent most of the year in the West Indies and only sailed near the Thirteen Colonies during the Caribbean hurricane season from July until November. The first French fleet attempted landings in New York and Rhode Island, but ultimately failed to engage British forces during 1778. In 1779,
2574-513: The American commissioners to France , Benjamin Franklin , and Silas Deane purchased Revenge at Dunkirk, France , for Continental service in the spring or summer of 1777. The British Ambassador to Paris complained that the ship had been fitted in a French (and supposedly neutral) port; but Hodge circumvented the diplomatic objection by a feigned sale of the cutter to an English subject, Richard Allen. Revenge departed Dunkirk, on 17 July 1777, ostensibly for Bergen, Norway ; but, as soon as she
2673-447: The Board of Admiralty were Francis Lewis (from 1779) and William Ellery (from 1780), no third commissioner was ever appointed. Congressional members were James Forbes (1779–1780), William Ellery (1779–1780), James Madison (1780–1780), Daniel Huntington (1780–1780), Whitmill Hill (1780–1780), Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer (only congressional member 1781). Alexander McDougall refused
2772-524: The Board of Admiralty. The American commissioners in Paris filled the function of an overseas Navy Board They directed ships operations, commissioned officers, recruited crews, as well as purchasing, storing and distributing supply for the ships operating in European waters. When Benjamin Franklin became United States Minister to France , these tasks fell on him personally. He employed naval agents in both France and
2871-476: The British Navy. In fact, while in prison he aided in the creation of a document stating that each member who signed would not leave the American cause regardless of what the conditions could become. Conyngham was placed on trial for high treason , but before his sentence was determined and carried out he escaped. Conyngham and eleven other prisoners had broken into the prison vault allowing them to use tools to dig
2970-546: The British in the Chesapeake Bay area to coordinate with the arrival of a large fleet under Vice Admiral François, comte de Grasse . Washington and de Rochambeau marched to Virginia after successfully deceiving the British that an attack was planned in New York, and de Grasse began landing forces near Yorktown, Virginia. On September 5, 1781, de Grasse and the British met in the Battle of the Virginia Capes , which ended with
3069-491: The British man of war Iris . Randolph took five prizes in her early cruises. On March 7, 1778, she was escorting a convoy of merchantmen when the British 64-gun ship HMS Yarmouth bore down on the convoy. Randolph , under the command of Captain Nicholas Biddle came to the defense of the merchantmen and engaged the heavily superior foe. In the ensuing engagement, the two ships were both severely manhandled but in
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3168-501: The Caribbean also issued commissions; taking duplications into account more than 2,000 commissions were issued by the various authorities. Lloyd's of London estimated that 2,208 British ships were taken by Yankee privateers, amounting to almost $ 66 million, a significant sum at the time. Most of the eight frigates that went to sea took multiple prizes and had semi-successful cruises before their captures, however, there were exceptions. On September 27, 1777, Delaware participated in
3267-475: The Continental Congress passed a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines to be raised for service with the fleet. John Adams drafted its first governing regulations, which were adopted by Congress on November 28, 1775, and remained in effect throughout the Revolutionary War. The Rhode Island resolution was reconsidered by the Continental Congress and was passed on December 13, 1775, authorizing
3366-516: The Continental Congress refused to pay him what he was due, and instead treated him as a common privateer during his earliest and most successful raids. However, despite his quarrels with the government, he still continued to serve his country. During the Quasi-War with the French, he captained the Maria, an armed merchant vessel, bringing much needed supplies to the front lines. Towards the end of his life, he
3465-617: The Continental Congress, Nov. 15, 1775. At the same time the pay table was adopted, Congress resolved how the rank of the Naval officers be to the rank of officers in the Land Forces: commodore as brigadier general, captain of a ship of 40 guns and upwards as colonel, captain of a ship of 20 to 40 guns as lieutenant colonel, captain of a ship of 10 to 20 guns as major, lieutenant in the Navy as captain. USS Revenge (1777) William Hodge, an agent of
3564-526: The Continental Navy to three ships. When Robert Morris became Agent of Marine in 1781 he closed all navy offices except the Eastern Navy Board as they still had USS Alliance and USS Deane to outfit. He appointed Naval Agents in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia with the task of auditing and settling accounts. In June 1783 Joseph Pennell
3663-505: The Continental Navy, and on March 1, 1777, Conyngham was appointed as captain of the lugger Surprise . He quickly went to work, heading towards the narrow English Channel and capturing the Prince of Orange and the Joseph within a week. The Prince of Orange was holding mostly mail, so he sent it to Dunkirk to be unloaded, but the Joseph was holding more valuable cargo such as wine and oranges, and
3762-505: The Continental Navy, only 11 survived the war. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 ended the Revolutionary War and, by 1785, Congress had disbanded the Continental Navy and sold the remaining ships. The frigate Alliance fired the final shots of the American Revolutionary War; it was also the last ship in the Navy. A faction within Congress wanted to keep her, but the new nation did not have the funds to keep her in service, and she
3861-619: The Continental Navy. Most Continental agents were also in charge of the disposing of prizes . When established, the Navy Boards became purveyors and suppliers of ships stationed in Philadelphia and Boston, but the Continental agents continued in these roles in the other ports. The Boards gave orders to the Agents but they often bypassed the Boards and communicated directly with the Marine Committee and later
3960-424: The Continental expense a fleet of sufficient force, for the protection of these colonies, and for employing them in such a manner and places as will most effectively annoy our enemies...." The measure in the Continental Congress was met with much derision, especially on the part of Maryland delegate Samuel Chase who exclaimed it to be "the maddest idea in the world." John Adams later recalled, "The opposition...
4059-593: The Dunkirk Pirate's vengeance. It was reported that the King of England himself said that it would give him great pleasure to be present at the hanging of Conyngham, if he could only catch him. Even the weather could not contain him. When his ship was badly damaged by a storm in English waters, he disguised the Revenge and sailed into an English port to be repaired, reverting to his native Irish tongue to maintain anonymity. When Conyngham
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4158-403: The French almost three years ago. Because Benjamin Franklin had given him an official commission, he was not merely a privateer, but an actual Captain in the United States Navy . As such, he was entitled to two-twentieths of the value of the ships he took as prizes. As he could not produce his commission, and Benjamin Franklin died before he could give proper testimony of Conyngham's commissioning,
4257-404: The French fleet in control of Chesapeake Bay. Protected from the sea by the French fleet, American and French forces surrounded, besieged, and forced the surrender of the British forces under Lord Cornwallis , effectively winning the war and leading to peace two years later. The Second Continental Congress created a Naval Committee of three members on Oct. 13, 1775. At the end of the month it
4356-507: The Joseph and calling for Conyngham's arrest. He was sent to a French prison under charges of piracy. Again, it was Conyngham's friend, "The Philosopher", who came to his rescue. Recognizing that Conyngham was a talented sailor from his clever avoidance of the British within their own channel, Franklin set about obtaining a new ship for him. However, this was no easy task in Europe at the time – England
4455-676: The Navy Board of the Middle Department were John Nixon (resigned 1778), John Wharton (resigned 1778), and Francis Hopkinson (resigned 1778). New members were William Smith (1778–1778), James Searle (1778–1778), John Wharton (reappointed 1778–1781), James Read (1778 only member late in 1781), William Winder (1778–1781). Members of the Navy Board of the Eastern Department were James Warren (until 1782), William Vernon (until 1781) and John Deshon (until 1781). Commissioners of
4554-442: The Netherlands. After 1780, naval administration deteriorated; Agents were dismissed for not submitting accounts, neglecting their assignments and sometimes for outright corruption. Members of the Board of Admiralty, the Navy Boards and Agents surrendered their commissions disgusted with the existing administrative and financial chaos. The accounting system collapsed in 1781. Lack of funds for new ships and heavy ship's losses reduced
4653-513: The armed vessel Layona, which he prepared to go cruising in once again. However, he received news of a treaty, and instead boarded the Hannibal , which was on its way back to his hometown of Philadelphia. In many ways, his second return to the United States earned him a colder welcome than the last. The Continental Congress refused to pay him properly for his work because of his inability to produce his commission, which had been confiscated from him by
4752-502: The blockade of Chesapeake Bay . On March 31, 1778, in another attempt, she ran aground near Hampton Roads , where her captain went ashore. Shortly after, HMS Emerald and Conqueror appeared on the scene to accept her surrender. Guarding American commerce and raiding British commerce and supply were the principal duties of the Continental Navy. Privateers had some success, with 1,697 letters of marque being issued by Congress. Individual states, American agents in Europe and in
4851-405: The building of warships in their respective ports and purchased cannons, anchors and sails as well provisions and all other items needed on a ship of war. Doing this they relied on the tradesmen and merchants that had sustained the colonial merchant marines. Established ship chandlers , provision merchants , ship's agents and other members of the business community put their experience to use by
4950-553: The building of thirteen frigates within the next three months: five ships of 32 guns, five with 28 guns, and three with 24 guns. When it came to selecting commanders for ships, Congress tended to be split evenly between merit and patronage. Among those who were selected for political reasons were Esek Hopkins , Dudley Saltonstall , and Esek Hopkins' son John Burroughs Hopkins . However, Abraham Whipple , Nicholas Biddle , and John Paul Jones managed to be appointed with backgrounds in marine warfare. On December 22, 1775, Esek Hopkins
5049-538: The course of the action, the magazine of the Randolph exploded causing the destruction of the entire vessel and all but four of her crew. The falling debris from the explosion severely damaged the Yarmouth enough that she could no longer pursue the American ships. Raleigh , under the command of Captain John Barry , captured three prizes before being run aground in action on September 27, 1778. Her crew scuttled her, but she
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#17330848468275148-408: The creation of a Continental navy came from Rhode Island because its merchants' widespread shipping activities had been severely harassed by British frigates. On August 26, 1775, Rhode Island General Assembly passed a resolution that there be a single Continental fleet funded by the Continental Congress . The resolution was introduced in the Continental Congress on October 3, 1775, but was tabled. In
5247-610: The cutter's great success reached British ears and the Admiralty ordered English warships to find and destroy her. Moreover, as Revenge ' s fame spread, British diplomatic pressure was brought to bear on the Spanish court to bar her from Spanish ports. Conyngham quietly refitted the ship in a small Spanish port and sailed for the West Indies on 1 September 1778. Before reaching Martinique , Revenge had captured 60 British vessels, destroying 33 and sending 27 to port as prizes. A cruise in
5346-556: The date of its official establishment, the passage of the resolution of the Continental Congress at Philadelphia that created the Continental Navy. On this day, Congress authorized the purchase of two vessels to be armed for a cruise against British merchant ships; these ships became Andrew Doria and Cabot . The first ship in commission was USS Alfred which was purchased on November 4 and commissioned on December 3 by Captain Dudley Saltonstall . On November 10, 1775,
5445-490: The expedition to retain control of the French ships, thereby often leaving and rejoining the effort when he felt that it was fortuitous. On September 23, 1779, Jones' squadron was off Flamborough Head when the British man-of-war HMS Serapis and HM hired armed ship Countess of Scarborough bore down on the Franco-American force. The lone Continental frigate Bonhomme Richard engaged Serapis . The rigging of
5544-464: The fall of Charleston, South Carolina on May 12, 1780. The final frigate to meet her end of Continental service was Trumbull . Trumbull , which had not gone to sea until September 1779 under James Nicholson , had gained acclaim in bloody action against the Letter of Marque Watt . On August 28, 1781, she met HMS Iris and General Monk and engaged. In the action, Trumbull was forced to surrender to
5643-675: The former American naval vessels (the General Monk was the captured Rhode Island privateer General Washington , itself recaptured in April 1782 and placed in service with the Continental Navy). Before the Franco-American Alliance , the royalist French government attempted to maintain a state of respectful neutrality during the Revolutionary War. That being said, the nation maintained neutrality at face value, often openly harboring Continental vessels and supplying their needs. With
5742-417: The goods. However, he was caught in becalmed winds for too long – the British were able to find him based on a tip from a mutinous sailor. Andrew Frazer , the British official in charge of Conyngham's arrest, placed a guard on board the Charming Peggy and ordered her to set sail for England as soon as the winds prevailed. However, once the weather turned, Conyngham and his crew overpowered the guard and made
5841-422: The lightly guarded western regions of Britain. Unfortunately for the ambitious Jones, the French pulled out of the agreement pertaining to an invasion force, but the French did manage to uphold the plan regarding his command of the naval squadron. Sailing in a clockwise fashion around Ireland and down the east coast of Britain, the squadron captured a number of merchantmen. French commander Landais decided early on in
5940-411: The likes of John Adams , who served as the chairman of the Naval Committee until 1776, when Commodore Esek Hopkins received instruction from the Continental Congress to assume command of the force. The initial force consisted of several converted merchantmen as a consequence of the lack of funds available for use by the navy, which was seen as of secondary importance by early American leaders amidst
6039-414: The limelight. Additionally, it provided needed experience for the first generation of American officers, who went on to command the early United States Navy . With the Continental Army's victory in the Revolutionary War, the navy was dissolved, with its few remaining ships and assets sold off. The final vessel, Alliance , was auctioned off in 1785 to a private bidder. The original intent was to intercept
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#17330848468276138-402: The meantime, George Washington had begun to acquire ships, starting with the schooner Hannah which was chartered by Washington from merchant and Continental Army Lt. Colonel John Glover of Marblehead , Massachusetts. Hannah was commissioned and launched on September 5, 1775, under the command of Captain Nicholson Broughton from the port of Beverly, Massachusetts . Resolved , That
6237-543: The offer of becoming Secretary of Marine as the Congress did not allow him to retain his rank in the army. Robert Morris was Agent of Marine from 1781 to 1784. When the Marine Committee was created in 1775 it appointed Continental agents in Portsmouth, New Hampshire , Boston , Providence, Rhode Island , New London, Connecticut , New York City , Philadelphia , Baltimore , Williamsburg, Virginia , Edenton , New Bern and Wilmington , North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia . They administered
6336-422: The office of Secretary of Marine replacing the Board of Admiralty. No one was found willing and able to accept that office, so Congress instead created the officer of Agent of Marine Aug. 19, 1781 and on Sept. 7. 1781 made Robert Morris holder of that office while remaining Superintendent of Finance. When Morris resigned as superintendent of finance 1784, Congress did not appoint a successor as Marine Agent and when
6435-418: The officers to dress in what was available they would not always be dressed according to instructions. Besides, many naval officers did not really like the uniforms prescribed and a group of them met in Boston in 1777 and agreed on a new uniform. The dress selected looked very much like a Royal Navy uniform. The agreement contained the following particulars: Pay table in dollars per calendar month , adopted by
6534-708: The operation stationed at Warwick on the James River , the most important of the works, which produced much sail material from flax grown in his home county of Augusta , as there was no money available to buy linen cloth for sails. By December 13, 1775, Congress had authorized the construction of 13 new frigates , rather than refitting merchantmen to increase the fleet. Five ships ( Hancock , Raleigh , Randolph , Warren , and Washington ) were to be rated 32 guns, five ( Effingham , Montgomery , Providence , Trumbull , and Virginia ) 28 guns, and three ( Boston , Congress , and Delaware ) 24 guns. Only eight frigates made it to sea and their effectiveness
6633-403: The opportunity for higher command. The French loaned Jones the merchantman Duc de Duras , which Jones refitted and renamed Bonhomme Richard as a more powerful replacement for the Ranger . In August 1779, Jones was given command of a squadron of vessels of both American and French ownership. The goal was not only to harass British commerce but also to prospectively land 1,500 French regulars in
6732-419: The overwhelming amount of damage that she had sustained. The action was an embarrassing defeat for the Royal Navy. The French also loaned the Continental Navy the use of the corvette Ariel . The one ship of the line built for service in the Continental Navy was the 74-gun America , but it was offered as a gift to France on September 3, 1782, in compensation for the loss of Le Magnifique in service to
6831-426: The presence of American diplomats Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane, the Continental Navy gained a permanent link to French affairs. Through Franklin and like-minded agents, Continental officers were afforded the ability to receive commissions and to survey and purchase prospective ships for military use. Early in the conflict, Captains Lambert Wickes and Gustavus Conyngham operated out of various French ports for
6930-455: The prizes. The brig Patty was brought to on the 25th and ransomed. These Continental successes, so close to the shores of England , sent London insurance rates skyrocketing and inhibited British trade. On the 21st or 26th, Revenge captured Northampton ; but that brig was recaptured by HM Tender Kitty before she could reach port for condemnation proceedings. For two months Revenge remained at sea cruising off north-western Europe and
7029-411: The progression of the British Army. As the war progressed, states began directing more resources toward naval pursuits. During the inaugural session of the Virginia General Assembly , the senate began acquiring lands for naval manufacturing. Charles O. Paullin states that "no other state owned as much land, properties, and manufactories devoted to naval purposes as Virginia. Sampson Mathews oversaw
7128-495: The purpose of commerce raiding. The French did attempt to enforce their neutrality by seizing Dolphin and Surprise of the Continental Navy. However, with the commencement of the official alliance in 1778, ports were officially open to Continental ships. The most prominent Continental officer to operate out of France was Captain John Paul Jones. Jones had been preying upon British commerce aboard Ranger but only now saw
7227-579: The sale of his ship, and was forced to find another way to accomplish his mission. After the loss of his ship, Conyngham headed to France , hoping to connect with an ally to the United States. It was there he met Benjamin Franklin , a man who would help him in his adventures many times in the future. They formed a lasting relationship, and Conyngham eventually awarded Franklin the nickname "the Philosopher" for his intellectual fortitude and resourcefulness. Franklin had been entrusted with several commissions of
7326-426: The strength, supply situation and the state of each ship of war, and forwarding them to Congress. It was his duty to issue orders and instructions necessary for the good of the service and to develop a good leadership culture in the Navy. The captain of each ship was responsible for its administration; muster rolls and accounts of provisions and other stores were kept under his responsibility. Change of command required
7425-507: The supply of arms and provisions to British soldiers, who had placed Boston under martial law . George Washington had already informed Congress that he had assumed command of several ships for this purpose, and individual governments of various colonies had outfitted their own warships. The first formal movement for a navy came from Rhode Island , whose State Assembly passed a resolution on August 26, 1775, instructing its delegates to Congress to introduce legislation calling "for building at
7524-601: The two ships became entangled during the combat, and several guns of Jones' ship had been taken out of action. The captain of Serapis asked Jones if he had struck his colors , to which Jones has been quoted as replying, "I have not yet begun to fight!" Upon raking the Serapis , the crew of the Bonhomme Richard led by Jones boarded the British ship and captured her. Likewise, the French frigate Pallas captured Countess of Scarborough . Two days later, Bonhomme Richard sank from
7623-405: The use of the Continental Army . However, success was diluted with the appearance of disease spreading from ship to ship. On April 6, 1776, the squadron, with the addition of Fly (8), unsuccessfully encountered the 20-gun HMS Glasgow in the first major sea battle of the Continental Navy. Hopkins failed to give any substantive orders other than to recall the fleet from the engagement,
7722-486: The verdicts of naval courts-martial , and build and purchase naval vessels. In September 1776 Congress created the Navy Board of the Middle Department with three members, not members of Congress, and seat in Philadelphia. In April 1777, the Navy Board of the Eastern Department was created for New England with seat in Boston. These boards were subordinate agencies under the Marine Committee and its successors. The Board of Admiralty
7821-440: The war. The administrative functions aboard a Continental man of war was instead fulfilled by petty officers : captain's clerks and stewards . Ship's provisions were drawn from Continental Agents or Navy Boards, and transfers took place between ships and even with Continental Army units as necessity required. Of the approximately 65 vessels (new, converted, chartered, loaned, and captured) that served at one time or another with
7920-553: Was amused by the portrayals of himself as a monster that he saw displayed all over London while in disguise. He planned on making his way back to France where he could again enlist the help of his friend Benjamin Franklin, but instead met with a stroke of luck. While he was resting in Texel, John Paul Jones arrived in port after his battle with the Serapis . Jones took him aboard, and they cruised together for several months until Conyngham left
8019-801: Was appointed Commissioner for Settling the Accounts of the Marine Department with branch offices at Boston, New York City and Philadelphia. Morris resigned as Marine Agent in 1784 and the Commissioner was transferred to the Department of the Treasury in 1785. When late in 1775, Esek Hopkins was commissioned Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet of the United Colonies he was put in charge of receiving monthly reports of
8118-562: Was appointed the naval commander-in-chief , and officers of the navy were commissioned. Saltonstall, Biddle, Hopkins, and Whipple were commissioned as captains of the Alfred , Andrew Doria , Cabot , and Columbus , respectively. Hopkins led the first major naval action of the Continental Navy in early March 1776 with this small fleet, complemented by Providence (12), Wasp (8), and Hornet (10). The battle occurred at Nassau, Bahamas where stores of much-needed gunpowder were seized for
8217-520: Was assigned to the ill-fated Penobscot Expedition under Captain Dudley Saltonstall , where she was trapped by the British and burned on August 15, 1779, to prevent her capture. Hancock , captained by John Manley , managed to capture two merchantmen as well as the Royal Navy vessel HMS Fox . Later on July 8, 1777, however, the Hancock was captured by HMS Rainbow of a pursuing squadron, and became
8316-575: Was at sea, Captain Gustavus Conyngham , the "Dunkirk Pirate" who had recently preyed upon British shipping in Surprise , took command; hoisted Continental colors; and headed for the North Sea . Four days later Revenge captured the large schooner Happy Return ; and, on the 23rd, made a prize of the brig Maria . Since British warships were nearby and threatening during both captures, Conyngham burned
8415-472: Was auctioned off for $ 26,000. Factors leading to the dissolution of the Navy included a general lack of money, the loose confederation of the states, a change of goals from war to peace, and more domestic and fewer foreign interests. The Marine Committee issued a uniform instruction on Sept. 5, 1776, with the following specifications: No instructions were issued for the dress of petty officers and seamen. The paucity of fabric at this time made it necessary for
8514-425: Was created Oct. 28, 1779 and contained two members of Congress and three other commissioners. Its mission was naval planning, the direction of ships and fleets, superintending the marine department, administering the supply of the navy and the settling of accounts. Dec. 8, Congress decided that the Board would take over all matters heretofore taken care of by the Marine Committee. Feb. 7, 1781, Congress decided to create
8613-545: Was elected to the Common Council of Philadelphia, and managed to raise thirty thousand dollars in loans from the population in order to defend the city during the War of 1812 . He never allowed his quarrels with politicians to come between his commitment to his country. He died quietly in his home on 27 November 1819. He is buried with his wife, Ann Conyngham, in the churchyard of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia . Nearly
8712-481: Was expanded to seven members. By the end of January 1776 three members were not active and the remaining four were appointed members of the Marine Committee created already on Dec. 13, 1775, when Congress decided to build 13 warships. This committee had thirteen members, one from each of the United Colonies , and was authorized to direct the fleet and ships movements by order to naval officers, appoint officers, review
8811-414: Was less than pleased with his disobedience to orders and his loss of his original commission, which had been confiscated by the French during his brief stay in their prison. Adding to this, as Conyngham was not the owner of the Revenge , it was sold at a private auction. Nevertheless, because Conyngham had been so successful as her captain, he was again given command with orders to raid British shipping for
8910-508: Was limited; they were completely outmatched by the Royal Navy, and nearly all were captured or sunk by 1781. Washington , Effingham , Congress , and Montgomery were scuttled or burned in October and November 1777 before going to sea to prevent their capture by the British. USS Virginia , commanded by Captain James Nicholson , made a number of unsuccessful attempts to break through
9009-526: Was named in his honor. Continental Navy The Continental Navy was the navy of the Thirteen Colonies (later the United States ) during the American Revolutionary War . Founded on October 13, 1775, the fleet developed into a substantial force throughout the Revolutionary War, owing partially to the efforts of naval patrons within the Continental Congress. These congressional patrons included
9108-434: Was not fed properly, causing him to lose fifty pounds while imprisoned on the ship en route to his English prison. Since he did not have a commission at the time, and he was arrested on charges of piracy and sent to the prison at Pendennis Castle from which he escaped, only to be caught again and transferred to Mill Prison, Plymouth . He was kept in irons continuously at both Pendennis Castle and Mill Prison. In fact, it
9207-409: Was offered a seventy-four gun Spanish vessel for protection against two small British ships that planned to ambush him, he "thanked him for his offer, but told him he was not afraid of fifty of their boats , all he wished is that they might make the attempt, and if they did, they would never live to make another." Conyngham's reign of destruction off of the English coastline only ended when he captured
9306-421: Was only by the watchful hand of Benjamin Franklin that Conyngham was kept from the gallows . Franklin wrote to General George Washington about Conyngham's missing commission, and Washington wrote to the British saying that if Conyngham met with the noose, he would hang six of the British officers he had captured . However, despite these conditions, he refused to accept the invitation to leave prison by joining
9405-510: Was raised by the British who refloated her for further use in the name of the Crown. Boston , under the command of Captains Hector McNeill and Samuel Tucker , had captured 17 prizes in earlier cruises and had carried John Adams to France in February and March 1778. She was captured (along with the frigate Providence which had taken 14 prizes in her own service under Captain Abraham Whipple ) in
9504-401: Was recaptured before making port. On 20 March she captured a tender of HMS Enterprize , burning her on 22 March. On the 24th she captured privateer "Hope" off the Straits of Gibraltar , but Hope was later recaptured. On 16 April 1778 she captured brig "Tapley" near Cadiz , Spain . On 31 May 1778 she captured Swedish brig "Henrica Sophia" that was transporting a British owned cargo. Word of
9603-502: Was sent to France as a prize. Unfortunately for Conyngham, France had a treaty with England that forbade the selling of commandeered good in French ports, and when Lord Stormont , Britain's Secretary of State for the Northern Department , heard of Conyngham's actions he demanded that France return the Joseph and arrest him. Not ready to commit to a war with England, French officials bowed to Lord Stormont's demands, turning over
9702-480: Was very loud and vehement. It was... represented as the most wild, visionary, mad project that had ever been imagined. It was an infant taking a mad bull by his horns." During this time, however, the issue arose of Quebec -bound British supply ships carrying desperately needed provisions that could otherwise benefit the Continental Army. The Continental Congress appointed Silas Deane and John Langdon to draft
9801-521: Was watching the construction of new ships and was prepared to burn any vessel they felt was being built to aid the American cause. Therefore, the ship was built as the Greyhound , and Franklin had installed false buyers in order to further confound the English. One of the buyers, Richard Hodge, then sailed the ship into the ocean, where Conyngham boarded it and took command, renaming the vessel Revenge . Having more tonnage, manoeuvrability and firepower than
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