USS George Washington (1798) facts for kids
Script error: No such module "Infobox ship". The first USS George Washington was an important frigate (a type of warship) in the early United States Navy. It was named after the first President of the United States, George Washington.
The George Washington started as a merchant ship built in Providence, Rhode Island in 1793. In 1798, the United States Congress bought it. They needed more warships because of a developing undeclared naval conflict, sometimes called the Quasi-War, with France. The ship was then changed into a warship.
Contents
The USS George Washington: An Early American Warship
Building and First Missions
The George Washington was purchased in October 1798. It cost $10,400 in cash and $30,000 in navy stock. Captain Silas Talbot oversaw its conversion into a warship. Captain Patrick Fletcher was its first commander.
Protecting Trade in the Caribbean
In December 1798, the George Washington sailed to Dominica in the West Indies. It joined a group of ships led by Commodore John Barry. Their mission was to protect American merchant ships. Many French privateers (privately owned ships allowed to attack enemy shipping) were attacking U.S. trade.
The George Washington met with the USS United States and the USS Constitution on December 29. They arrived in Dominica the next day. For several months, the ship helped guide American merchant vessels safely through the West Indies. It sailed between St. Christopher's Island and Tobago. During this time, working with the revenue cutter Pickering, it recaptured two American ships from the French. These were the brig Fair American on April 29, 1799, and the schooner Francis on May 1, 1799.
Searching for Privateers and Repairs
The ship left the Caribbean in mid-1799. It arrived in Newport, Rhode Island, on June 12, 1799. After a short break, it sailed again on July 2. The Secretary of the Navy, Benjamin Stoddert, thought the ship was not very fast. So, it did not return to the Caribbean right away. Instead, it searched the coast for French privateers. It sailed as far south as Charleston, South Carolina. Then, it took a position off Santo Domingo to protect American trade.
The George Washington returned to the United States in October 1799. It needed major repairs. Its bottom was repaired and covered with new copper.
Diplomatic Voyage to Algiers
In April 1800, the ship was taken to Philadelphia. There, it was prepared for sea again. In May 1800, Captain William Bainbridge took command. The ship sailed from Newport on June 13.
At this time, the United States did not have a very strong navy. To protect its ships from the Barbary pirates in North Africa, the U.S. made annual payments. These payments were meant to prevent attacks. Captain Bainbridge sailed with supplies and timber for the Dey (ruler) of Algiers on August 8.
The George Washington arrived safely on September 17. It was the first American warship to enter the Mediterranean Sea. However, the supplies were not enough to satisfy the Dey. The Dey demanded to use the ship and its crew. He claimed they belonged to him because the U.S. paid tribute.
Captain Bainbridge had to agree to the Dey's demands. He was forced to carry the Dey's gifts to the Sultan (ruler) in Constantinople. Bainbridge strongly protested this. But, facing many cannons on shore and serious threats of harm to American ships and sailors, he had no choice. He departed on October 19. The ship reached Constantinople on November 11, 1800. It left Constantinople on December 30. It returned to Algiers on January 21, 1801, and departed on January 31. After visiting Alicant, it arrived back in the United States on April 19, 1801.
In February 1801, Navy Secretary Stoddert suggested selling the ship. On May 4, 1801, Captain Bainbridge was replaced by Lieutenant John Shaw as captain.
Final Years of Service
The ship was repaired again. It was prepared to carry supplies and timber to Algiers once more. With a smaller crew and fewer weapons, it sailed on July 20, 1801. It escorted a merchant ship called Peace & Plenty. Both ships carried goods from the U.S. government for the Bey (ruler) of Tunis. They arrived in Algiers, after stopping in Málaga, Spain, on October 5, 1801.
After visiting ports in Italy and France, the George Washington returned to Philadelphia around April 15, 1802. The ship was sold in May 1802 by the Navy agent in Philadelphia.
See also
- List of sloops of war of the United States Navy
- Bibliography of early American naval history
