USS Raleigh (1776)

USS "Raleigh" was one of thirteen ships that the Continental Congress authorized for the United States Navy in 1775. She served in the Royal Navy as HMS "Raleigh" following her capture in 1778.

As USS "Raleigh"

"Raleigh", a frigate built by Messrs. James Hackett, Hill, and Paul at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, under the supervision of Thomas Thompson, was authorized by the Continental Congress on 13 December 1775 and the keel was laid on March 21, 1776 and launched on May 21, 1776.

"Raleigh", with a full-length figure of Sir Walter Raleigh as figurehead, put to sea under Captain Thomas Thompson on August 12, 1777. Shortly thereafter, she joined "Alfred" and sailed for France. Three days out they captured a schooner carrying counterfeit Massachusetts money. Burning the schooner and her cargo, except for samples, the frigates continued their transatlantic passage. On September 2 they captured the British brig, "Nancy", and from her they obtained the signals of the convoy which the brig had been escorting from the rear. Giving chase, the Americans closed with the convoy on September 4, 1777.

"Raleigh", making use of the captured signals, intercepted the convoy and engaged HMS "Druid". In the ensuing battle she damaged "Druid", but the approach of the remaining British escorts forced her to retire.

On December 29, 1777, "Raleigh" and "Alfred", having taken on military stores, set sail from L'Orient, France. Following a course that took them along the coast of Africa. After capturing a British vessel off Senegal, "Raleigh" crossed the Atlantic Ocean to the West Indies. On March 9, 1778, in the Lesser Antilles, "Alfred", some distance from "Raleigh", was captured by the British ships HMS "Ariadne" and HMS "Ceres". "Raleigh", unable to reach "Alfred" in time to assist her, continued north and returned to New England early in April 1778.

Accused of cowardice and dereliction of duty for not aiding "Alfred", Captain Thompson was suspended soon after reaching port. On May 30, 1778 the Marine Committee appointed John Barry to replace him as captain.

Barry arrived in Boston to assume command on June 24 only to find his ship without crew or stores and the Navy Board not wholly in support of the manner of his appointment. His reputation and character, however neutralized the ill-will of the Marine Committee, drew enlistments, and helped to obtain the stores.

On September 25, "Raleigh" sailed for Portsmouth, Va., with a brig and a sloop under convoy. Six hours later two strange sails were sighted. After identification of the ships as British the merchant vessels were ordered back to port. "Raleigh" drew off the enemy. Through that day and the next the enemy ships HMS "Unicorn" and HMS "Experiment", pursued "Raleigh". In late afternoon on the 27th, the leading British ship closed with her. A 7-hour running battle followed, much of the time in close action. About midnight, the enemy hauled off and Barry prepared to conceal his ship among the islands of Penobscot Bay.

The enemy, however, again pressed the battle. As "Raleigh" opened fire, Barry ordered a course toward the land. "Raleigh" soon grounded on Wooden Ball Island. The British hauled off but continued the fight for a while, then anchored. Barry ordered the crew ashore to continue the fight and to burn "Raleigh".

A large party, including Barry, made it to shore. One boat was ordered back to "Raleigh" to take off the remainder of the crew, and destroy her, however the British again fired on the ship, striking the Continental colors. The battle was over. All three ships had been damaged, "Unicorn" particularly so. Of the Americans ashore, a few were captured on the island, but the remainder, including Barry, made it back to Boston, Massachusetts, arriving on October 7.

As HMS "Raleigh"

The British refloated "Raleigh" at high tide on the 28th, and after repairs, commissioned her into the Royal Navy as HMS "Raleigh". She continued to fight during the War for Independence as a British vessel and took part in the capture of Charleston, SC. In May 1780, she was decommissioned at Portsmouth, England, on June 10, 1781 and was sold in July 1783.

Legacy

A depiction of "Raleigh" is on the state seal of New Hampshire.