Frigate BOSTON
May 1777 - May 1780


Click this photo to view full size painting.
The Above Painting: The first frigate BOSTON (keel laid 1776, commissioned 1777) is heading out to sea in 1780. The BOSTON is a little up river from the city of Charleston, South Carolina, some of which is seen in the left distance. She's on a "broad reach" with the wind on her port quarter.


Built: Newburyport, Massachusetts
3 June, 1776 to 5 May, 1777

Length: 114' 3"
Beam: 32'
Displacement: 514 tons

Complement: 200 men

Power: Three masts; sail

Speed: 8.5 knots

Armament: 5-12 pound cannon; 19-9 pounders; 2-6 pounders; 4-4 pounders

The second BOSTON, a 24-gun frigate, was launched 3 June 1776 at Newburyport, Massachusetts, and commissioned the following year with Captain H. McNeill in command.

On 21 May 1777 the BOSTON sailed in company with the HANCOCK in the North Atlantic. The two frigates captured three prizes including the 28-gun frigate HMS FOX. The BOSTON, HANCOCK, and FOX were engaged by HMS FLORA, RAINBOW, and VICTOR. Her consorts were taken by the British squadron. BOSTON escaped to the Maine coast.

During 15 February - 12 March 1778 BOSTON carried John Adams to France. In 1779 she made two cruises in the North Atlantic, capturing at least 9 prizes. BOSTON was sent to defend Charleston, SC and was captured there by the British when the town surrendered on 12 May 1780.

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