Source(s):
Wikipedia “Ships of the Continental Navy” (LINK)
Wikipedia “Continental Navy” (LINK)
American War of Independence: At Sea – The Continental Navy (LINK)
These ships were authorized by Congress on 13 December 1775 as new construction to increase the fleet.
Hancock (32 gun frigate) – Named for John Hancock on 6 June 1776. Hancock was the second President of the Continental Congress.
Raleigh (32 gun frigate) – Named for Sir Walter Raleigh on 6 June 1776. Raleigh was the charter owner of the “lost” Roanoke colony of Virginia during 1584-1587.
Randolph (32 gun frigate) – Named for Peyton Randolph on 6 June 1776. Randolph was the first President of the Continental Congress who died 22 October 1775.
Warren (32 gun frigate) – Named for Joseph Warren on 6 June 1776. Warren was a doctor who was commissioned as a Major General in the Massachusetts Militia shortly before the Battle of Bunker Hill. During the battle, rather than fighting as a General, he declined command and fought as a private soldier, whereupon he was killed in battle.
Washington (32 gun frigate) – Named for General George Washington on 6 June 1776. Scuttled incomplete on 2 November 1777 to prevent capture by the British.
Effingham (28 gun frigate) – Named for Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham on 6 June 1776. Howard became famous for resigning his commission in protest against the war to suppress the Colonies. Scuttled incomplete on 2 November 1777 to prevent capture by the British.
Montgomery (28 gun frigate) Named for General Richard Montgomery on 6 June 1776. Montgomery was killed in the failed assault on Quebec on 31 December 1775.
Providence (28 gun frigate) – Named for the capital of Rhode Island on 6 June 1776.
Trumbull (28 gun frigate) – Named for Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. on 6 June 1776. Trumbull was the only Royal Governor of a Colony (Connecticut) to take up the Revolutionary cause.
Virginia (28 gun frigate) – Named for the Commonwealth of Virginia on 6 June 1776.
Boston (24 gun frigate) – Named for the capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on 6 June 1776.
Congress (24 gun frigate) – Named for the Continental Congress on 6 June 1776.
Delaware (24 gun frigate) – Named for the Colony of Delaware on 6 June 1776.
America (74 Gun S-o-L) – Laid down May 1777, but not ready for sea until June 1783 under the French flag; having been turned over to France by act of Congress on 3 September 1782 to replace the French ship of the line Magnifique; lost while entering Boston Harbor.
This ship was authorized by the Continental Congress on 20 November 1776 (Hard Copy Page 223); which directed that –
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Journal of the Continental Congress [Philadelphia]Wednesday, November 20, 1776 The Marine Committee to whom was referred the bringing in a plan for increasing the navy of the United States, brought in a report, which was taken in consideration; Whereupon, Resolved, That there be immediately undertaken, In New Hampshire, 1 ship of
74 guns, |
The New Hampshire ship became America, while the other two 74's weren't constructed in the end.
This Squadron had a very short life, with most ships being built/captured/seized in 1775/1776 before all but five ships were lost in the Battle of Valcour Island on 11 October 1776.
Enterprise (12 gun Sloop-of-War) – Originally a sloop named George, she was captured on 16 May 1775 by a party of men led by Benedict Arnold. She was renamed Enterprise and became a sometime-flagship for Colonel Benedict Arnold. Run aground and deliberately burned on 7 July 1777 to prevent capture.
Royal Savage (12 gun Schooner) – British ship damaged and sunk; later raised and repaired.
Trumbull (10 gun Row Gallery)
Washington (10 gun Row Gallery)
Revenge (8 Gun Two-Masted Schooner) – Built at Fort Ticonderoga summer of 1776. Wreck rediscovered in 1909, exhibited for a short period before being lost again.
Liberty (8 Gun Two-Masted Schooner) – Originally a schooner named Katherine, built for the wealthy landowner Philip Skene, she was captured on 11 May 1775 and renamed Liberty to honor the patriot cause.
Congress (8 Gun Row Galley) – Served with the Continental Navy for only 1 week before being scuttled.
Lee (6 Gun Row Galley)
Boston (3 gun Gundalow) – One of 8 gundalows built in Skenesborough (now Whitehall, NY) without plans.
Connecticut (3 gun Gundalow) – One of 8 gundalows built in Skenesborough (now Whitehall, NY) without plans.
Jersey (3 gun Gundalow) – One of 8 gundalows built in Skenesborough (now Whitehall, NY) without plans. Also referred to as New Jersey.
New Haven (3 gun Gundalow) – One of 8 gundalows built in Skenesborough (now Whitehall, NY) without plans.
New York (3 gun Gundalow) – One of 8 gundalows built in Skenesborough (now Whitehall, NY) without plans.
Philadelphia (3 gun Gundalow) – One of 8 gundalows built in Skenesborough (now Whitehall, NY) without plans. Placed in service August 1776 and sunk 11-12 October by the British. Wreck rediscovered 1935 and salvaged. Now in Smithsonian.
Providence (3 gun Gundalow) – One of 8 gundalows built in Skenesborough (now Whitehall, NY) without plans.
Spitfire (3 gun Gundalow) – One of 8 gundalows built in Skenesborough (now Whitehall, NY) without plans. Wreck rediscovered 1997.
Hancock (1 gun Gondola) – 60 foot flat bottomed type boat, built at Fort Ticonderoga in August 1775; intended to carry 100-200 men at any one time.
Schuyler (1 gun Gondola) – 60 foot flat bottomed type boat, built at Fort Ticonderoga in August 1775; intended to carry 100-200 men at any one time.
General Mifflin (4 Gun Schooner)
General Schuyler (6 Gun Sloop) – Named for the Revolutionary War General who planned the 1775 invasion of Quebec.
Alfred – Converted Merchantman originally named Black Prince. Purchased by the Naval Committee on 4 November 1775 and renamed Alfred on 8 November 1775 after King Alfred the Great. In December 1775, Alfred became the first known vessel to fly the Grand Union Flag.
Alliance (36 Gun Frigate) – Originally laid down as Hancock. Renamed Alliance on 29 May 1778 by a resolution of the Continental Congress.
Baltimore (12 gun Brigantine) – Built in Baltimore in 1777, and lost January 1780 off Cape Henry, VA.
Bonhomme Richard – East Indiaman originally named Duc de Duras, turned over to the United States in 1779. Renamed by John Paul Jones in honor of Benjamin Franklin. The rationale for the name was due to Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac being published in France under Les Maximes du Bonhomme Richard.
Bourbon (36 Gun Frigate) – Authorized on 23 January 1777. Not launched until 31 July 1783 and sold later that year incomplete.
Cabot
Champion
Columbus
Confederacy
Deane
Duc de Lauzun
Fly (8 Gun Sloop) – One of eight former merchantmen fitted out by the Naval Committee in late 1775. Burned November 1777 to prevent capture.
Franklin
General Gates
Hannah
Harrison
Hornet
Independence
Lady Washington – Named for George Washington's wife, and was the first US warship to be named for a woman, a first lady and for a living person.
Lee (x2)
Lexington
Lynch
Morris
Mosquito (x2)
New Haven
New York – Named for the State of New York.
Queen of France (28 gun frigate) – Purchased in France during 1777 and renamed for Marie Antoinette.
Ranger – Possibly named after 'Roger's Rangers' in the French and Indian War.
Reprisal – Originally the brig Molly, purchased by Congress on 28 March 1776 and renamed Reprisal; meaning “promising hostile action in response to an offense.”
Sachem
Saratoga
Spitfire (x2)
Wasp
Yankee Hero