USS George Washington (1798) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 United States |
|
| Cost | $69,024 |
| Launched | 1793 |
| Acquired | 12 October 1798 |
| Fate | Sold, May 1802 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 624 |
| Length | 108 ft (33 m) keel |
| Beam | 32 ft 6 in (9.91 m) |
| Draught | 14 ft (4.3 m) |
| Complement | 220 officers and enlisted |
| Armament | 24x9-pdrs 8x6-pdrs |
The first USS George Washington was a special type of warship called a frigate in the United States Navy. Frigates were known for being fast and able to carry many guns. This ship was named after George Washington, one of the important Founding Fathers and the first President of the United States.
The George Washington was first built as a merchant ship in 1793 in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1798, the U.S. Congress bought it. They needed more warships because of a fight with France called the Quasi-War. This was a time when the U.S. and France were fighting at sea, but it wasn't a full-blown war. The ship was then changed into a warship.
Protecting American Trade
In December 1798, the George Washington sailed to the West Indies. Its job was to protect American trading ships. French privateers, which were private ships allowed to attack enemy ships, were causing trouble. The George Washington joined a group of U.S. Navy ships led by Commodore John Barry.
For several months, the ship helped guide American merchant ships safely. It sailed between islands like St. Christopher's Island and Tobago. During this time, the George Washington helped get back two American ships that the French had captured. These were the brig Fair American and the schooner Francis.
In mid-1799, the ship left the Caribbean and returned to Newport, Rhode Island. After a short break, it sailed again in July. This time, it looked for French privateers along the U.S. coast, going as far south as Charleston, South Carolina. Then, it went to Santo Domingo to keep protecting American trade. The George Washington came back to the U.S. in October 1799 for big repairs.
A Diplomatic Mission
In April 1800, the George Washington was taken to Philadelphia to get ready for a new mission. Captain William Bainbridge took command of the ship. At this time, the United States was trying to protect its ships from the Barbary pirates in North Africa. These pirates would attack ships and demand money, called tribute, to let them pass safely.
Captain Bainbridge was ordered to sail to Algiers with supplies and wood as a tribute payment for the Dey (the ruler) of Algiers. The George Washington arrived in September 1800. It was the first American warship to enter the Mediterranean Sea.
However, the Dey of Algiers was not happy with the amount of tribute. He demanded that Captain Bainbridge use the George Washington to carry gifts for him to the Sultan (the ruler) in Constantinople. Captain Bainbridge strongly disagreed. He felt it was wrong for an American warship to be used this way. But the Dey threatened to harm American ships and sailors if Bainbridge refused.
So, Captain Bainbridge had no choice but to agree. The George Washington left Algiers in October 1800. It returned to Algiers in January 1801. After visiting other ports, the ship finally came back to the United States in April 1801.
Final Years of Service
The ship then had more repairs. It was prepared to carry more supplies and wood to Algiers. With only some of its crew, it sailed again in July 1801. It arrived in Algiers in October 1801, after stopping in Málaga, Spain.
After visiting ports in Italy and France, the George Washington returned to Philadelphia around April 1802. In May 1802, the ship was sold by the Navy. Its time serving the United States Navy came to an end.
See also
- List of sloops of war of the United States Navy
- Bibliography of early American naval history
