USS Alfred

The Continental Ship Alfred by W. Nowland Van Powell, depicting Lieutenant John Paul Jones hoisting the first American flag on December 3, 1775.
History
Great Britain
NameBlack Prince
NamesakePrince Edward, Duke of Cornwall
OwnerWilling, Morris & Co.
Launched1774
HomeportPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
FateSold on December 3, 1775
United States
NameUSS Alfred
NamesakeAlfred of Wessex
OrderedNovember 4, 1775
CommissionedDecember 3, 1775
FateCaptured on March 9, 1778
Great Britain
NameHMS Alfred
AcquiredMarch 1778
FateSold in 1782
Great Britain
NameAlfred
OwnerT. Seale
Acquired1782
NotesStill in service in 1789
General characteristics
Tons burthen440 (bm)
Length140 ft (43 m)
Beam32 ft (9.8 m)
Draft15 ft (4.6 m)
Complement220 officers and men
Armament
  • 20 × 9-pounder guns
  • 10 × 6-pounder guns
Service record
Commanders:
Operations:

Alfred was the merchant vessel Black Prince, named for Prince Edward, Duke of Cornwall and launched in 1774. The Continental Navy acquired her in 1775, renaming her Alfred after 9th century English monarch Alfred of Wessex, and commissioned her as a 24-gun frigate. During the American Revolutionary War, the Alfred participated in two major naval operations; the battles of Nassau and Block Island. The Royal Navy captured her in 1778, took her into service as HMS Alfred, and sold her in 1782. She then became the merchantman Alfred, and sailed between London and Jamaica.