USS Portsmouth (1798)
USS Portsmouth (1798) was a 593-ton sailing warship built for the U.S. Navy in 1798–1799. She was built by master shipbuilder James Hackett to a design by Josiah Fox on Badger's Island in Kittery, Maine, across the Piscataqua River from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The project was funded by citizens of Portsmouth.
Commanded by Captain Daniel McNeil, Portsmouth served in the West Indies during the Quasi-War with France as part of Commodore John Barry’s squadron. Before August 9, 1799, she captured the French schooner La Fripponne.
In August 1799, near Suriname, there was a complex encounter: the Dutch colony surrendered after a British ultimatum. The French corvette Hussar surrendered to Portsmouth and the U.S. Revenue Cutter USRC Scammel, and a prize crew took control of Hussar. After a period of blockade and negotiation, the British requested the ship, and the Americans turned Hussar over with prisoners.
Portsmouth arrived in New York on January 24, 1800. In April 1800, she sailed to France to bring home the United States envoys who had concluded peace negotiations with France, arriving at Le Havre on May 20, 1800. She reached Norfolk, Virginia, by December 12, 1800.
In February 1801, Navy Secretary Stoddert recommended selling Portsmouth. She was sold in Baltimore later that year for $34,365.82, after budget cuts ordered by President Jefferson following the peace with France.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 19:43 (CET).