| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | USS Connecticut |
| Namesake | State of Connecticut |
| Builder | Seth Overton |
| Launched | June 6th, 1799 |
| Commissioned | October 15th, 1799 |
| Fate | Sold 1801 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 548 tons or 492 [1] |
| Tons burthen | 514 tons |
| Length | 125 ft (38 m) |
| Beam | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Draft | 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Complement | 180 to 220 officers and enlisted men |
| Armament | 24 to 26 x 9 and 12pdrs |
The Connecticut was a sailing frigate built by Seth Overton at Chatham, Conn. and launched 6 June 1799 at Middletown, Conn. Her construction ran into delays due to an epidemic that struck New York City, where her copper bolts were being forged. [2] During outfitting, probably on or just before 7 July she foundered. She was refloated. [3] She sailed 15 Oct. 1799 under the command of Captain Moses Tryon for the Guadaloupe Station, arriving off Puerto Rico on 28 October. [4] She cruised in the West Indies for a year during the Quasi-War with France, protecting American commerce from French privateers. Connecticut's successful career was highlighted by the capture of four privateers and the recapture of seven American merchantmen. On 7 November 1799 she recaptured schooner "Hannah" captured 72 hours earlier. [5] On 8 December she recaptured brig "Penelope" captured by French privateer "Fleur de Mair" on 3 December. [6] On 28 December she engages captured American schooner "Polly" that is then run ashore a League west of Point Chateaux. After a fight with the prize crew, who were on shore, it was found to be impossible to refloat her and she was burned. [7] On 30 December she captured off Point Petre French privateer brig "Conqueror of Italy" (or "Italic Conqueste"), the most successful privateer operating out of Guadeloupe having captured 200 American merchant ships. [8] "Conquest of Italy" was put in service as a tender for USS Constellation. [9] On 15 January, 1800 She fired upon a privateer (14 guns) but it found shelter by a fort on Demerara, later that day she chased a ship (22 guns) ashore at Deseada which bilged and sank. [10] On 2 April she stopped and detained ex-American schooner "Commerce" that had been captured by a privateer, condemned by Court at Point Peter and sold to a Dane. Capt. Tryon thought her papers were not "regular" and sent her to St. Kitts for evaluation, where she was released. [11] On 28 April, with USS Richmond, she recaptured Thomas Chalkley. [12] On 1 June, she captured privateer schooner "Le Piege" off Descada, and on 3 July recaptured brig "Martha and Mary" on the north side of St. Kitts. On 5 June, captured privateer schooner "La Unite". [13] On 17 June, recaptured a schooner (possibly "Betsy") off Guadalupe. [14] [15] On 15 July, with USS Philadelphia, captured French Letter of Marque ketch "Le Chouchou". [16] [17] Arrived at New London, Conn., 18 Oct. 1800. Capt. Richard Derby was ordered to replace Capt. Tryon on 1 November. [18] In a letter dated 20 February to Josiah Parker, chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, Navy Secretary Stoddert recommended selling her. [19] Connecticut was sold at New York in 1801 for $19,300. [20]
Contents
In merchant service until 1808, when she was scrapped. [20]
The mensurations are designed by the plan of the Department of the Navy.
