American Privateer frigate 'American Tartar' (1776)

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American Tartar
Nominal Guns	24	W027
Nationality	United States of America
Operator	Massachusetts State Navy
Acquired	29.11.1776	W027
Home Port	Boston - Massachusetts	W027
Shipyard	Unknown	W027
Category	Privateer	W027
Ship Type	Frigate	W027
Sailing Rig	Ship Rigged	W027
Captured	28.8.1777	W027
Becomes	British sloop 'Hinchinbrook' (1777) (16) 1777-1783 British 16 Gun Unrated Sloop

Dimensions

DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentW027
Burthen318Tons BM

Armament

20.7.1777Broadside Weight = 114 Imperial Pound ( 51.699 kg)W027
Gun Deck20 American 9-Pounder
Gun Deck12 American 4-Pounder

2.8.1777Broadside Weight = 79 Imperial Pound ( 35.8265 kg)W027
Gun Deck10 American 9-Pounder
Gun Deck8 American 6-Pounder
Gun Deck2 American 4-Pounder
Gun Deck4 American 3-Pounder

Crew Complement

Date# of MenNotesSource
29.11.1776151 W027
20.7.1777200 W027
2.8.1777110 W027
6.8.1777100 W027
8.8.1777130 W027

1 Ship Commander

DatesRankNameSource
29.11.1776 - 28.8.1777Captain (Privateer)W027

4 Commissioned Officers

DatesRankNameSource
29.11.1776 - 1777First LieutenantW02729.11.1776 - 28.8.1777Second LieutenantW02729.11.1776 - 28.8.1777LieutenantW0271777 - 28.8.1777First LieutenantW027

2 Warrant Officers

DatesRankNameSource
29.11.1776 - 28.8.1777SurgeonW02729.11.1776 - 28.8.1777MasterW027

Service History

DateEventSource
6.1777Took the brig SallyW027
12.7.1777American Tartar vs Pole
13.7.1777Took two unknown brigsW027
15.7.1777Took the ship Royal Bounty, master William Kerr off the Shetland IslandsW027
15.7.1777Took the ship Janet, off the Shetland IslandsW027
20.7.1777Took the ship Nautilus, master George Corney off LewisW027
28.7.1777Took the ships Peggy and Thomas and Elizabeth, and the brig Fanny off NorwayW027
28.8.1777Taken by

Notes on Ship

DescriptionW027
The ship had an image figurehead, and was painted black and yellow with tarred sides and short topgallant mastheads; the guns on the main deck were painted black, those on the quarterdeck and forecastle were painted red.

Sources

IDNameAuthorType

W027Ken Kellow, Web Site

Previous comments on this page

Posted by Christos Kyrou on Friday 21st of June 2024 05:31

“And it is further resolved that the members of the Board of War aforesaid be directed and they are hereby accordingly directed to pay the money they may receive from the Commissary General, aforesaid to John Titus Morgan, on account of the debt due from the Board of War to the said Morgan for building the ship Tartar.” March 7 1781. From Acts and Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Harvard Library 1890. Could this possibly be the same Tartar? I am writing a biography of John T Morgan's and any input or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Posted by malcolm archibald on Friday 5th of January 2024 11:59

The captures were mentioned in the Caledonian Mercury of 11 August 1777, with the American master named as Graham.

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Recent comments to other pages

Date posted	By	Page
Monday 27th of July 2026 06:21	Jon Miller	British Second Rate ship of the line 'Temeraire' (1798) (98) 1798-1838 British 98 Gun 2nd Rate Ship of the Line
Sunday 26th of July 2026 21:18	Jon Miller	British Third Rate ship of the line 'Ramillies' (1785) (74) 1785-1850 British 74 Gun 3rd Rate Ship of the Line
Sunday 26th of July 2026 21:18	Jon Miller	British Third Rate ship of the line 'Ramillies' (1785) (74) 1785-1850 British 74 Gun 3rd Rate Ship of the Line
Sunday 26th of July 2026 21:17	Jon Miller	British Second Rate ship of the line 'Princess Royal' (1773) (90) 1773-1807 British 90 Gun 2nd Rate Ship of the Line
Sunday 26th of July 2026 21:15	Jon Miller	British Fifth Rate frigate 'Winchelsea' (1764) (32) 1764-1814 British 32 Gun 5th Rate Frigate

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