USS Potomac (1822)

For other ships with the same name, see USS Potomac.

USS Potomac
History
United States
NamePotomac
Laid downAugust 1819
LaunchedMarch 1822
Commissioned1831
Decommissioned13 January 1877
FateSold 24 May 1877
General characteristics
Class and typeRaritan-class frigate First class frigate[1]
Tonnage1,726
Length177.83 ft (54.20 m)
Beam46.17 ft (14.07 m)
Draft20.5 ft (6.2 m)
Complement480 officers and men
Armament42 32-pounder guns, 8 8-inch "shell" guns

USS Potomac was a frigate in the United States Navy laid down by the Washington Navy Yard in August 1819 and launched in March 1822. Fitting out was not completed until 1831, when Captain John Downes assumed command as first commanding officer. Although called a "44" 1st class, she was built to mount 32 carronades on her spar deck, 30 long guns on her gun deck, two bow and three stern chasers on each of these decks,[2] significantly under-rating her on the rating system of the Royal Navy.

  1. ^ Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the Navy of the United States, including Officers of the Marine Corps, &c. for the Year 1825. Way & Gideon. 1825.
  2. ^ Blane, William N., An excursion through the United States and Canada: during the years 1822–23, pp. 334-335