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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

US Frigate Trumbull (II)

Frigate:

Laid down, date and location unknown

Launched, circa 1776

Fitted out for sea in 1779 at New London CT., CAPT. James Nicholson in command

Trumbull sailed in late May 1780 encountering the British 32-gun letter-of-marque Ware

In what has been described as one of the hardest fought naval engagements of the war Trumbull and Watt fought to a draw in close in fighting

Trumbull suffered eight men killed and 31 wounded losing most of her rigging during the battle

Watt faired even worse, losing 13 killed and 79 wounded, losing most of her rigging and being holed several times including below the waterline

Trumbull weathered a gale while struggling back to Connecticut reaching Nantasket on 14 June

Watt was able to limp into New York on 17 June

Although urged to speed the outfitting of his ship and return to sea Nicholson was plagued by lack of funds and scarcity of men

Finally ready for sea again, Trumbull departed, 8 August 1781

In company with a 24-gun privateer and a 14-gun letter-of-marque she escorted a 28-ship merchant convoy

On 28 August 1781 lookouts on the American ships spotted three sails to the eastward; two tacking to give chase to the convoy

Trumbull became separated from the convoy in a rain squall which carried away her fore-topmast and her main topgallantmast

The frigate soon found herself engaged with the British frigate HMS Iris, the former Continental frigate Hancock (II), and the 18-gun ship General Monk, the former Continental privateer General Washington

Trumbull was trapped and seeing no way of escaping Nicholson gathered his crew and fought for over and hour

Eleven Americans were wounded and five killed during the engagement before Trumbull struck her colors

Taken in tow by the British to New York, Trumbull was so badly damaged she was never taken in British service

Final Disposition, fate unknown

Specifications:
Displacement 700 t.
Keel Length unknown
Beam unknown
Depth of Hold unknown
Draft unknown
Speed unknown
Complement unknown

Armament

twenty-four 12-pdr guns

six 6-pdr guns

Propulsion sail

Size	Image Description	Source
175k	Draft plan of the 24-gun Continental frigates *Trumbull*. NRGs Model Ship World	Robert Hurst
134k	Sketch drawing of the 24-gun frigate *Trumbull* at anchor. Artist unknown. Image from American Pink -USS Trumbull	Robert Hurst
148k	Oil painting by Nowland Van Powell, 1969 of the battle between the US Frigate *Trumbull* and the British 32-gun letter-of-marque *Watt. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 92870-KN*. Courtesy of the Bruce Gallery, Memphis, Tennessee.	USNH&HC
260k	*"USS TRUMBULL Captured by HMS IRIS and HMS GENERAL MONK"* On the night of 8 August 1781, HMS Iris, under CAPT. George Dawson, accompanied by HMS General Monk under CDR. Josias Rogers, brought under CAPT> Nicholson, under fire for one hour and 35 minutes, forcing *Trumbull* to strike her colors. Description: Courtesy of the Mariners Museum, Newport News, Virginia, artist, Warren US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 56474	USNH&HC
1049k	Headstone at Granary Burying Ground of Jabez Smith, a *Trumbull* sailor killed in the ship, labeled "anchored in the haven of rest". Photo by Swampyank at English Wikipedia (real name unknown)	Robert Hurst

USF Trumbull (II)
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Wikipedia - USS Trumbull (1776)

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 19 August 2016