RATTLESNAKE (privateer 1781)

[aukepalmhof]

Built as a privateer probably in Plymouth for John Andrew and others, Salem, Mass,
Launched as RATTLESNAKE.
Tonnage 200 ton, dim. 27.81 (length of deck) x 6.82 x 2.47m., length of keel 22.58m.
Armament 20 guns.
Crew 86.
12 June 1781 in service under command of Commander Mark Clark.

The RATTLESNAKE was lightly built and she did look like a miniature frigate, due to het light construction was she very fast.
After she left port for sea she was sighted by the British 5th Rate HMS ASSURANCE (44 guns), she was no match for the ASSURANCE and was taken 17 June 1781 (British sources) 25 June 1781 USA sources.
The RATTLESNAKE got a prize crew on board and was taken to New York where she was sold for £1,096 16.11d on 28 July 1781to the Royal Navy.
From November 1781 till February 1782 fitted out at Plymouth, U.K.
Armament 18 – 4 pdr. 10 x 0.5 pdr. swivels.
Crew 90.

September 1781 commissioned in the Royal Navy as the HMS CORMORANT as a ship sloop, under command of Commander John Welcome for the Irish Sea.
30 July 1782 took the French 10 gun sloop Le TÉMÉRAIRE off Cape Clear, Ireland south coast.
From August till September 1783 fitted out in Deptford, and renamed in August 1783 as HMS RATTLESNAKE.
03 November 1783 sailed for the Mediterranean.
June 1786 decommissioned.
10 October1786 sold at Deptford for £400.
Fate unknown.

St Thomas and Prince 2003 700Db sg?, scott? (she is the vessel in the foreground; the other vessel is the HMS ASSURANCE.)

Source: http://www.awiatsea.com/Privateers/R/Ra ... rk%5D.html British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714-1792 by Rif Winfield.