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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive
USF George Washington (I)
Frigate:
Built as a merchant vessel at Providence, R.I., in 1793
Launched, date unkown
Purchased by the Congress at Providence, 12 October 1798, from John Brown and John Francis for use in the developing undeclared war with France
Converted to a warship under the supervision of CAPT. Silas Talbot
In early December 1798 George Washington, CAPT. Patrick Fletcher in command, proceeded to Dominica, West Indies, to join Commodore Barry's squad-on for the
protection of American commercial interests in the area
She rendezvoused with Barry in USF United States at sea 29 December and arrived Dominica next day
For the next several months she convoyed American ships in the West Indies, sailing from St. Christopher's Island to Tobago
During this time, in company with revenue cutter Pickering, she recaptured two American ships from the French brig Fair American
on 29 April 1799, and schooner Francis on 1 May 1799.
George Washington departed the Caribbean in mid-1799, arriving at Newport, R.I., on 12 June 1799, and after a short stay sailed again on 2 July
On this cruise she searched the coast for French privateers as far south as Charleston, and then took station off Santo Domingo protecting American commerce
George Washington returned to the United States in October 1799 for extensive repairs
The Frigate was taken to Philadelphia, PA., in April 1800 and there prepared for sea under the command of CAPT. William Bainbridge
Lacking a strong Navy, the United States attempted to protect its commerce from the Barbary pirates with tribute
Bainbridge sailed with a load of stores and timber for the Dey of Algiers on 8 August
George Washington arrived safely in September, the first American warship to enter the Mediterranean
Unhappily, Bainbridge had to accede to threats and carry the Dey's presents to the Sultan at Constantinople
He protested vigorously; but, in the face of concentrated guns ashore and the threat of retaliation on American shipping he departed on 20 October
George Washington returned to Algiers, 21 January 1801, and after a visit to Alicant, France, arrived back in the United States, 19 April 1801
The ship underwent repairs and was again fitted to carry stores and timber to Algiers
Manned with only a partial crew, she sailed, 20 July 1801, and arrived Algiers via Malaga, Spain, 5 October 1801
After calling at Italian and French ports she returned to Philadelphia about 15 April 1802
George Washington was sold in May 1802 by the Philadelphia Navy Agent, George Harrison
Final Disposition, fate unknown
Specifications:
Displacement 624 t.
Length 108'
Beam 32'6"
Depth of Hold unknown
Draft 14'
Speed unknown
Complement 220
Armament
twenty-four 9-pdr guns
eight 6-pdr guns
Propulsionsail
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George Washington (I)
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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Last Updated 24 June 2022