American sloop 'Providence' (1775)

Three Decks' Forum

Come and ask, answer or inform.

Recent updates

Update
Pedro de Linze y BerasteguiSpanish
Ship Owner
Service 1754-1769
Update
Galga (36) 1744-1784
Spanish 36 Gun
Privateer Frigate
Added
Lorenzo BeyenisSpanish
Ship Owner
Service 1769
Update
Juan Agustin de IradySpanish
Naval Sailor
Update
Guipuzcoano (64) 1778-1780
Spanish 64 Gun
Merchant Ship of the Line
Update
San Rafael (30) 1774-1780
Spanish 30 Gun
Merchant Frigate
Update
Luis ArburuSpanish
Naval Sailor
Update
Fermín UrtizbereaSpanish
Naval Sailor
Service 1780
Update
San Carlos (32) 1772-1780
Spanish 32 Gun
Merchant Frigate
Added
San Ignacio de Loyola (50) 1766-1779
Spanish 50 Gun
Merchant Ship
See more...

Providence	11978
Nominal Guns	12	DANFS
Nationality	United States of America
Operator	Continental Navy
Previously	American sloop 'Katy' (1775) (12) 1775-1775 American 12 Gun Unrated Sloop
Purchased	3.12.1775	DANFS
Shipyard	Unknown	TNAR
Category	Unrated	DANFS
Ship Type	Sloop	DANFS
Scuttled	14.8.1779	DANFS

Armament

7.5.1779Broadside Weight = 32 Imperial Pound ( 14.512 kg)ref:76
Gun Deck6 American 6-Pounder
Gun Deck6 American 4-Pounder
Gun Deck2 American 2-Pounder

Crew Complement

Date# of MenNotesSource
7.5.177983 ref:76

6 Ship Commanders

DatesRankNameSource
3.12.1775 - 10.5.1776CaptainDANFS10.5.1776CaptainDANFS10.5.1776 - 1777CaptainDANFS2.1777 - 1777LieutenantDANFS4.1777 - 1778CaptainDANFS1779 - 14.8.1779Captainref:76

1 Commissioned Officer

DatesRankNameSource
1776LieutenantDANFS

1 Petty Officer

DatesRatingNameSource
7.11.1777 - 31.3.1778MidshipmanW027

2 Marines

DatesRankNameSource
14.6.1776 - 8.1776Marine Second LieutenantW0278.1776 - 19.10.1776Marine First LieutenantW027

Service History

DateEventSource
1.1776Departed Philadelphia, but was delayed by ice in putting to sea
17.2.1776Put to sea
4.4.1776The Flotilla took the schooner Hawk
5.4.1776The Flotilla took the brig Bolton, another brig and a sloop
6.4.1776The flotilla engaged Glasgow (20) for an hour and half, Glasgow withdrew
8.4.1776The flotilla returned to New London with its prizes
5.1776Voyage to New York carrying soldiers back to George Washington's army
13.6.1776Sailed as escort to Fly
1.8.1776Arrived in Philadelphia as escort to colliers
21.8.1776Start of an independant cruise
8.1776Took the British brigantine whaler Britannia
1.9.1776Chased by the British frigate Solebay
3.9.1776Took the Bermudan brig Sea Nymph
6.9.1776Took the brig Favourite, but she was retaken by Galatea (36)
20.9.1776Chased by the British frigate Milford
22.9.1776Arrived in Canso
6.10.1776in Newport Harbour having taken a total of 16 prizes
11.1776Sailed in company with Alfred, which was commanded by John Paul Jones
11.1776The two ships took the brig Active
11.1776The two ships took the armed transport Mellish
8.11.1776Arrived in Narragansett Bay
16.11.1776The two ships took the snow Kitty
17.11.1776Troubled by leaks the Providence headed for Rhode Island
19.11.1776Arrived in Newport
12.1776The British seized Narragansett Bay the Providence with other American vessels retired up the Providence River
2.1777Ran the British blockade abd cruised to Cape Breton where she took a transport brig
1.1778Left Georgetown NC bound for the Bahamas
27.1.1778Spiked the guns of Fort Nassau, taking stores and releasing 30 prisoners
27.1.1778Took prize a 16-gun ship and retook five other vessels
30.1.1778Put into New Bedford with her armed prize
4.1779Ordered on a cruise in Massachusetts Bay and the coast of Maine
7.5.1779Took the British Brig Diligent (12)
7.5.1779Providence vs Diligent
7.5.1779Took the Sloop
19.7.1779Departed Boston as part of Commodore Dudley Saltonstall's squadron
25.7.1779Entered Penobscot Bay
14.8.1779Destroyed by her crew in Penobscot Bay to prevent her failing into the hands of the British

Fleets
Dates	Fleet	Fleet Commander	Source
3.12.1775-1776	First American Flottilla 1775	Esek HopkinsAmerican Naval Sailor Service 1745-1802

Sources

IDNameAuthorType

DANFSUnknown, Web Site

TNARCharles Oscar Paulin, Digital Book

W027Ken Kellow, Web Site

ref:76Gardner Weld Allen, Digital Book

Previous comments on this pageno comments to display

Make a comment about this page

Recent comments to other pages

Date posted	By	Page
Friday 24th of July 2026 08:52	Jon Miller	Philip AffleckBritish Naval Sailor Service 1743-1799
Friday 24th of July 2026 08:41	Jon Miller	George SarradineBritish Naval Sailor Service 1794-1802
Friday 24th of July 2026 08:28	Jon Miller	British Other Vessels discovery vessel 'Discovery' (1789) (10) 1789-1834 British 10 Gun Other Discovery Vessel
Friday 24th of July 2026 08:15	Jon Miller	Mark RobinsonBritish Naval Sailor Service 1740-1787
Friday 24th of July 2026 06:56	Jon Miller	British Fifth Rate frigate 'Ethalion' (1797) (38) 1797-1799 British 38 Gun 5th Rate Frigate

GDPR Statement