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USF Raleigh (I)

Frigate:
  • Laid down, 21 March 1776 by Hackett, Hill, and Paul at Portsmouth, N.H., under the supervision of Thomas Thompson, authorized by the Continental Congress, 13 December 1775
  • Launched on 21 May 1776
  • Placed in service, 12 August 1777, as the Continental Navy frigate Raleigh, CAPT. Thomas Thompson in command
  • Raleigh soon joined the Continental Navy ship CNS Alfred (24 guns) sailing for France
  • Three days out Raleigh and Alfred captured a schooner carrying counterfeit Massachusetts money. Burning the schooner and her cargo
  • Captured British brig Nancy 2 September 1776
  • Engaged British convoy 4 September damaging HMS Druid (20 guns)
  • The two ships carrying military stores departed France, 29 December 1776
  • Off the coast of Africa, they captured a British vessel off Senegal
  • In the Lesser Antilles, 9 March 1778, Alfred, was captured by the British ships HMS Ariadne (20 guns) and HMS Ceres (16 guns). Raleigh, unable to reach Alfred in time to assist her, continued north and returned to New England early in April
  • CAPT. Thompson was accused of cowardice and dereliction of duty in not aiding Alfred and was suspended from command
  • CAPT. John Barry assumed command, 24 June 1778
  • On 25 September Raleigh sailed for Portsmouth, VA., with a brig and a sloop under convoy, sighting British warships she drew off the enemy
  • For three days HMS Unicorn (26 guns) and HMS Experiment (50 guns), pursued Raleigh
  • In late afternoon on the 27 September, the leading British ship closed Raleigh. A 7-hour running battle followed, much of the time in close action
  • Raleigh ran aground on Wooden Ball Island and was abandoned by her crew
  • The British refloated Raleigh at high tide on the 28th, and after repairs, took her into the Royal Navy. As HMS Raleigh. She continued to fight during the War for Independence and took part in the capture of Charleston, S.C., in May 1780
  • Decommissioned at Portsmouth, England, 10 June 1781 and sold in July 1783
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 697 t.
    Length 131' 5"
    Beam 34' 5"
    Depth of Hold 11'
    Draft unknown
    Speed unknown
    Complement 180
    Armament thirty-two 12-pdrs
    Propulsion sail
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Raleigh (I) 149k Model of the 32-gun Continental Navy frigate USF Raleigh (I) housed at the US Navy Museum, 27 December 2011.
    by Sturmvogel (real name unknown).    		 Robert Hurst
    New Hampshire State Flag 149k New Hampshire's state seal depicts the frigate USS Raleigh and is surrounded by a laurel wreath with nine stars. The Raleigh is one of the first 13 warships sponsored by the Continental Congress for a new American navy, built in 1776, at Portsmouth. The seal is surrounded by a laurel wreath. The wreath is an ancient symbol of fame, honor, and victory. The nine stars within the wreath show that New Hampshire was the ninth state to join the Union. The water stands for the harbor of Portsmouth, and in the yellow-colored spit of land is granite, a strong igneous rock, representing both New Hampshire's rugged landscape and the sturdy character of her people Tommy Trampp
    USF Raleigh (I)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
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    Last Updated 5 April 2023