Raleigh

[shipstamps]

The Raleigh, a 36 gun frigate was built at Portsmouth New Hampshire and launched on March 21, 1776. She carried 26 12-pounders. 10 8-pounders and a couple of mortars when built.
In conjunction with the Alfred, Continental Navy flagship (depicted on the Grenadines $1.00 stamp), they attacked a West Indies convoy. The Alfred was engaged by H.M.S. Druid, a 16-gun sloop, the British ship being disabled but by this time H.M.S. Camel and H.M.S. Weazle came up within sight of the American vessels and the Americans fled, to fight another day. The Raleigh was finally captured on September 25, 1778, after being driven ashore by H.MS. Experiment and H.M.S. Unicorn. The captain of the Raleigh, John Barry, and some of his crew escaped in ship's boats. The Raleigh was pulled off undamaged and was converted into a 5th Rate of 32 guns, 697 tons builders' measurement; length 131 ft., beam 34ft. Armed with 32 12 pdrs. Sold on July 17, 1783. SG357

[aukepalmhof]

Built as a wooden frigate by the yard of Colonel James K. Hacket at Kittery, Maine for the Continental Navy.
21 March 1776 keel laid down.
21 May 1776 launched as the USS RALEIGH.
Tonnage 697 tons burthen, dim. 40.06 x 10.49 x 3.4m. (draught)
Armament 26 – 12 pdr. and 10 – 6 pdr guns.
Crew 180.

RALEIGH, with a full-length figure of Sir Walter Raleigh as a figurehead, put to sea under Capt. Thomas Thompson on 12 August 1777. Shortly thereafter, she joined LFRED (24 guns) and sailed for France. Three days out they captured a schooner carrying counterfeit Massachusetts money. Burning the schooner and her cargo, except for samples, the frigates continued their transatlantic passage. On 2 September they took the British brig, NANCY, and from her, Thompson obtained the signals of the convoy from which the brig had lagged behind. Giving chase, the Americans closed the convoy on the 4th.
RALEIGH, making use of the captured signals, joined the convoy and engaged HBMS DRUID (20 guns). In the ensuing battle, she damaged DRUID, but the approach of the remaining British escorts forced her to break off.
Then sailing on to France, RALEIGH and ALFRED took on military stores and on 29 December sailed from L'Orient. Following the northeast tradewinds, they swung down off the coast of Africa, thence, after capturing a British vessel off Senegal, crossed the Atlantic to the West Indies. There, in the Lesser Antilles on 9 March 1778, ALFRED, some distance from RALEIGH, was captured by the British ships ARIADNE (20) and CERES (16). RALEIGH, unable to reach ALFRED in time to assist her, continued north and returned to New England early in April.
Accused of cowardice and dereliction of duty in not aiding ALFRED, Thompson was suspended soon after reaching port. On 30 May the Marine Committee appointed John Barry to replace him.
Barry arrived in Boston to assume command on 24 June only to find his ship without crew or stores and the Navy Board not wholly in support of the manner of his appointment. His reputation and character, however, neutralized the ill-will of the Marine Committee, drew enlistments, and helped to obtain the stores.
On 25 September RALEIGH sailed for Portsmouth, Va., with a brig and a sloop under convoy. Six hours later two strange sails were sighted. After identification of the ships as British, the merchant's vessels were ordered back to port. RALEIGH drew off the enemy. Through that day and the next the enemy UNICORN (26) and EXPERIMENT (50), pursued RALEIGH. In the late afternoon on the 27th, the leading British ship closed her. A seven-hour running battle followed, much of the time in close action. About midnight, the enemy hauled off and Barry prepared to conceal his ship among the islands of Penobscot Bay.
The enemy, however, again pressed the battle. As RALEIGH opened fire, Barry ordered a course toward the land. RALEIGH soon grounded on Wooden Ball Island. The British hauled off but continued the fight for a while, then anchored. Barry ordered the crew ashore to continue the fight and to burn RALEIGH.
A large party, including Barry, made it to shore. One boat was ordered back to RALEIGH to take off the remainder of the crew and destroy her.
Midshipman Jeacocks, however, forestalled Barry's plans and, as the British again fired on the ship, struck the Continental colors. The battle was over. All three ships had been damaged, UNICORN particularly so. Of the Americans ashore, a few were captured on the island, but the remainder, including Barry, made it back to Boston, arriving on 7 October.
28 September 1778 taken by the two British warships and taken to Boston, where she was bought by the Royal Navy for £5,928 on 20 October 1778. October 1778 commissioned by Admiral Cambier, and command was given to Captain James Gambier, Jnr. Stayed in the winter of 1778/79 in North American waters. Then used for the relief of New Jersey. 13 May 1779 took part in the action in Cancale Bay. From 24 June till 12 September 1779 refitted and coppered at Plymouth. Thereafter sailed again for North America. May 1780 was one of the Royal Navy ships that took part in the capture of Charleston, South Carolina. 16 May 1781 arrived at Portsmouth. Paid off after arrival and on 17 July 1783 sold there for £500.

Monserrat 1976 40c sgMS395. Scott?
British Virgin Islands 197640c sg 357, Scott?

Source: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714-1792 by Rif Winfield.