USS Patapsco (1799)
| History | |
|---|---|
 USA | |
| Name | Patapsco |
| Namesake | Patapsco River |
| Launched | June 20, 1799 |
| Fate | Sold June 1801 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 380 tons |
| Length | 87 ft (27 m) |
| Beam | 29 ft (8.8 m) |
| Depth of hold | 12 ft (3.7 m) |
| Complement | 180 |
| Armament | 20 guns |
The first USS Patapsco was a sloop in the United States Navy.
Patapsco was launched as Chesapeake June 20, 1799 by Captain De Rochbruns, and renamed Patapsco between October 10 and November 14 apparently to free the name for Chesapeake. Commanded by Captain Henry Geddes, she escorted brig Acteon to New Orleans, carrying General James Wilkinson and his staff to that port. She then cruised in the West Indies, protecting American shipping from French cruisers and privateers during the Quasi-War with France. Operating in Commodore Silas Talbot’s squadron, she captured schooner Cecilia after a five-hour chase May 28, 1800. On August 7 she captured French letter of marque Dorade. In the autumn she also engaged Louisa Bridge but the schooner escaped.
She aided Merrimack and a British frigate in defeating a French invasion of Curaçao, in the Netherlands Antilles, before returning to Philadelphia in December. She was sold there in June 1801.
References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
