American Fifth Rate frigate 'Confederacy' (1778)

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Confederacy

2397
Nominal Guns36DANFS
NationalityUnited States of America
OperatorContinental Navy
Launched8.11.1778DANFS
How acquiredPurpose builtDANFS
ShipyardNorwich - Connecticut BWAS-1714
Constructor
Jedidiah WillettsAmerican
Ship Builder
BWAS-1714
CategoryFifth RateDANFS
Ship TypeFrigateDANFS
Sailing RigShip RiggedDANFS
Captured14.4.1781DANFS
Becomes
British Fifth Rate frigate 'Confederate' (1781) (36) 1781-1782
British 36 Gun
5th Rate Frigate

Dimensions


DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentDANFS
Length of Gundeck133' 0"Imperial Feet40.5384 
Breadth35' 6"Imperial Feet10.6985 
Burthen959Tons BM 

Armament


1778Broadside Weight = 192 Imperial Pound ( 87.072 kg)DANFS
Gun Deck28 American 12-Pounder
Quarterdeck6 American 6-Pounder
Forecastle2 American 6-Pounder

Crew Complement


Date# of MenNotesSource
1778260Establishment?DANFS

1 Ship Commander


DatesRankNameSource
9.1778 - 15.4.1781Captain
Seth HardingAmerican
Naval Sailor
Service 1748-1848
DANFS

1 Commissioned Officer


DatesRankNameSource
4.1779 - 14.4.1781Lieutenant
Stephen GregoryAmerican
Naval Sailor
Service 1751-1817
CN

3 Petty Officers


DatesRatingNameSource
1779 - 14.4.1781Midshipman
James L CathcartAmerican
Naval Sailor
Service 1729-1829
16.10.1780 - 14.4.1781Midshipman
William NourseAmerican
Naval Sailor
Service 1780-1863
SCAR1781 - 14.4.1781Midshipman
John YoungAmerican
Naval Sailor
Service 1731-1831
W049

Service History


DateEventSource
29.4.1779Sailed to cruise the Atlantic coast of America
29.5.1779In Delaware Bay
6.6.1779While convoying merchantmen in company with
Deane (32) 1778-1783
American 32 Gun
5th Rate Frigate
1782 Renamed "Hague"
, took three prizes and drove off two British frigates
6.6.1779Took the Privateer
Pole (24) 1777-1779
British 24 Gun
Privateer Unknown
W027
26.10.1779Cleared the Delaware caps on start of Voyage to France
7.11.1779Completely Dismasted
12.1779Arrived in Martinique for repairs
14.4.1781Action of 1781-04-14
14.4.1781Taken by
Roebuck (44) 1774-1811
British 44 Gun
5th Rate Ship of the Line

14.4.1781Taken by
Orpheus (32) 1780-1807
British 32 Gun
5th Rate Frigate


 
Previous comments on this page

Posted by Don Greenfield on Friday 5th of December 2025 17:33

Looking for info on the crew of the Confederacy. I have an ancestor I believe was on the Confederacy, taken captive, and held on the HMS Jersey in Wallabout Bay, Brooklyn. I found a reference to his being on the Confederacy but haven't found what it's based on. His name was Richard Greenfield and shows up in a British list of prisoners on the Jersey. Any ideas where I can look for a crew list beyond the partial list that is posted in a couple of places? Thanks...

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