HMS Drake (1777)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
HMS Drake was a twenty-gun sloop-of-war of the Royal Navy. Originally named Resolution, she was purchased in 1777. She served in the American Revolutionary War, and on April 24, 1778, off Carrickfergus, Ireland, she fought a battle with the 18-gun sloop Ranger of the Continental Navy, commanded by Captain John Paul Jones. Forty of Drake's crew, including her captain, George Burdon, were killed, and after an hour-long engagement, Drake surrendered to the Americans. Jones was able to evade capture and deliver Drake to Brest, France as his prize on May 8, 1778. Jones’ victory was the first for any American military vessel in British waters.
[edit] Sources
- Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, history of USS Ranger [1]
- SeacoastNH French Buy Piscataqua Prize [2]
 |
This article about a specific naval ship or boat of the United Kingdom is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
