USS Portsmouth (1798)

For other ships with the same name, see USS Portsmouth.
History
United States
NameUSS Portsmouth
NamesakePortsmouth, New Hampshire
BuilderJames Hackett
Laid down1798
Launched7 June 1799
FateSold 1801
General characteristics
Tonnage593 tons
PropulsionSails
Complement220 officers and enlisted men
Armament24 guns

USS Portsmouth was constructed for the United States Navy in 1798 by master shipbuilder James Hackett to a design of Josiah Fox at what is now Badger's Island in Kittery, Maine, directly across the Piscataqua River from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She was built with funds contributed by the citizens of Portsmouth.

Commanded by Captain Daniel McNeil, Portsmouth operated in the West Indies during the Quasi-War with France in the squadron commanded by Commodore John Barry. Sometime before 9 August 1799, she captured French schooner La Fripponne.[1] On 20 August 1799, a British invasion force under the command of Lieutenant-General Thomas Trigge and Vice Admiral the Right Honourable Lord Hugh Seymour arrived at the Dutch colony of Suriname. The British sent an ultimatum to surrender within 24 hours. The Dutch asked for 48 hours to consider it. They surrendered after 48 hours. During the 48 hours the Captain of French Navy corvette Hussar decided to surrender to her and USRC Scammel that were also at Paramaribo. The crew was removed, and a prize crew put on board. The American ships, searching for French vessels that had been preying on American merchantmen, had blockaded Hussar for two months in the Suriname River. The British demanded she be turned over to them and the Americans agreed after a brief confrontation, turning over the ship and prisoners.[2] She arrived at New York 24 January 1800.[3] In April 1800, she sailed to France to bring back the United States envoys who had concluded peace negotiations with France. She arrived at Le Harve on 20 May.[4][5] She arrived at Norfolk, Virginia on or shortly before 12 December.[6] In a letter dated 20 February to Josiah Parker, Chaiman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, Navy Secretary Stoddert recommended selling her.[7] Portsmouth was sold at Baltimore, Maryland, for $34,365.82[8] in 1801, after the military cutbacks ordered by the new Jefferson Administration after the peace signed with France ending the Quasi-War in 1800.

  1. ^ "Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume Part 1 of 3 Naval Operations August 1799 to December 1799 August to September Pg. 54" (PDF). U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume Part 1 of 3 Naval Operations August 1799 to December 1799 August to September Pg. 66-67" (PDF). U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume Part 1 of 4 Naval Operations January to May, 1800, Front Matter January Pg. 129-130" (PDF). U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume Part 3 of 4 Naval Operations January to May, 1800, April 1800-May 1800 Pg. 395-396" (PDF). U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume Part 3 of 4 Naval Operations January to May, 1800, April 1800-May 1800 Pg. 539" (PDF). U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  6. ^ Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France (PDF). Vol. VII Part 1 of 4: Naval Operations December 1800-December 1801, December 1800-March 1801. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 27. Retrieved 16 September 2024 – via Ibiblio.
  7. ^ Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France (PDF). Vol. VII Part 1 of 4: Naval Operations December 1800-December 1801, December 1800-March 1801. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 126. Retrieved 23 September 2024 – via Ibiblio.
  8. ^ Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France (PDF). Vol. VII Part 1 of 4: Naval Operations December 1800-December 1801, December 1800-March 1801. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 307. Retrieved 29 September 2024 – via Ibiblio.