CONFEDERACY
Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:09 pm
Built as a frigate by Jedidiah Willets at Norwich, Con. For the Continental Navy.
08 November 1778 launched under the name CONFEDERACY.
Tonnage 959 ton, dim. 153 x 35.6ft.
Armament 28 – 12pdr., 8 – 6pdr.
Crew 260.
After completing towed to New London for fitting out.
From 1 May to 24 August 1779 she cruised on the Atlantic coast under command of Capt. S. Harding.
While convoying a fleet of merchantmen on 6 June, she and the DEANE captured three prizes, drove off two British frigates and brought the convoy safely into Philadelphia.
On 17 September 1779 CONFEDERACY was ordered to carry the French Minister and his family back to France. Later John Jay the first American Minister to Spain, his secretary, and family were added to the passengers list.
During the passage on 07 November 1779 the CONFEDERACY was complete dismasted and almost lost, but managed through the skilful seamanship of Captain Harding to reach Martinique early December. After repairs she returned to convoy duty.
While homeward bound from Cape Francois in the West Indies from where she sailed on 20 March 1781 with military stores and other supplies, in company with a French frigate and a large convoy of French and American merchantmen CONFEDERACY, forced to strike her flag to the British ship HMS ROEBUCK (44 guns) and ORPHEUS (32 guns) on 14 April 1781. Captain Harding in the face of a superior force, and hindered by the large cargo of military supplies on board, considered resistance useless and struck his flag without any battle.
After a British prize crew was put on board she was towed to New York, where the crew except Harding and an other officer were pardoned, and the other crew confined as prisoners on board the JERSEY a prisoner ship, until exchanged or released.
Bought by the Royal Navy for £5.941 on 22 June 1781 at Boston and was subsequently taken into the British service as HMS CONFEDERATE.
Not commissioned.
18 November 1781 docked at Woolwich, U.K.
March 1782 broken up there.
Grenadines of Grenada 1976 $2.00 sg182, scott?
Source: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Ships of the Royal Navy by J.J. Colledge.
Some other web-sites. British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714-1792 by Rif Winfield.
08 November 1778 launched under the name CONFEDERACY.
Tonnage 959 ton, dim. 153 x 35.6ft.
Armament 28 – 12pdr., 8 – 6pdr.
Crew 260.
After completing towed to New London for fitting out.
From 1 May to 24 August 1779 she cruised on the Atlantic coast under command of Capt. S. Harding.
While convoying a fleet of merchantmen on 6 June, she and the DEANE captured three prizes, drove off two British frigates and brought the convoy safely into Philadelphia.
On 17 September 1779 CONFEDERACY was ordered to carry the French Minister and his family back to France. Later John Jay the first American Minister to Spain, his secretary, and family were added to the passengers list.
During the passage on 07 November 1779 the CONFEDERACY was complete dismasted and almost lost, but managed through the skilful seamanship of Captain Harding to reach Martinique early December. After repairs she returned to convoy duty.
While homeward bound from Cape Francois in the West Indies from where she sailed on 20 March 1781 with military stores and other supplies, in company with a French frigate and a large convoy of French and American merchantmen CONFEDERACY, forced to strike her flag to the British ship HMS ROEBUCK (44 guns) and ORPHEUS (32 guns) on 14 April 1781. Captain Harding in the face of a superior force, and hindered by the large cargo of military supplies on board, considered resistance useless and struck his flag without any battle.
After a British prize crew was put on board she was towed to New York, where the crew except Harding and an other officer were pardoned, and the other crew confined as prisoners on board the JERSEY a prisoner ship, until exchanged or released.
Bought by the Royal Navy for £5.941 on 22 June 1781 at Boston and was subsequently taken into the British service as HMS CONFEDERATE.
Not commissioned.
18 November 1781 docked at Woolwich, U.K.
March 1782 broken up there.
Grenadines of Grenada 1976 $2.00 sg182, scott?
Source: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Ships of the Royal Navy by J.J. Colledge.
Some other web-sites. British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714-1792 by Rif Winfield.