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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Viper (I)
ex
USS Ferret (I) (circa 1809-1810)

Schooner / Brig:

Laid down as the schooner Ferret at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA. between 1806 and 1809, designed by naval architect Josiah Fox

Launched, between 1806 and 1808

Commissioned USS Ferret, 18 April 1809, LT. Christopher Gadsden, Jr., in command

Shortly after her commissioning, Ferret cruised along the coast of the Carolinas and Georgia to aid in the enforcement of the Embargo Act of 1807

Renamed Viper during rerigging as a brig at the Washington Navy Yard in 1809 and 1810

After completion of rerigging at Washington Viper sailed to New Orleans, LA., arriving, 1B March 1811

Viper remained off the Gulf Coast enforcing the Embargo Act until the outbreak of the War of 1812

During the war, Viper proved woefully inadequate in deep water operations against the larger, more heavily gunned British warships and was captured by the 32-gun frigate HMS Narcissus, CAPT. John R. Lumley, RN, off the coast of Belize, British Honduras

On 17 January 1813 she was taken to New Providence in the Bahama Islands

Final Disposition, nothing is known of her subsequent career

Specifications:

Displacement

Schooner Ferret (I) 148 t.

Brig - Viper (I) 143 t.

Length 73'
Beam 23'8"
Depth of Hold 7'6"
Draft unknown
Speed unknown
Complement 64

Armament

Schooner Ferret (I) 19 guns

Brig Viper (I) 12 guns

Propulsion sail