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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive
USS Ganges
Ship:
A sailing merchantman built in Philadelphia in 1794 for the West Indies trade
Purchased at Philadelphia 3 May 1798 when hostilities with France became imminent
Ganges sailed from Philadelphia, 24 May 1798, CAPT. Richard Dale USN in command, directed to take and bring into a port any French vessel (armed or unarmed) within one league of the coast or wherever found
In mid-September 1798 CAPT. Thomas Tingey USN assumed command Ganges and sailed 7 December to the Windward Passage joining the squadron protecting the Jamaican trade
On 6 January 1799 off the Island of Tortuga, Ganges fell in with the sloop Ceres, suspected of heading for illegal trade at Cap Francois
Ganges was boarded 21 February by officers of the 44-gun English frigate HMS Surprise off Cape Nichola Mole, Hispaniola, demanding all
Englishmen aboard
Tingey firmly replied: "A public ship carries no protection but her flag. I do not expect to succeed in a contest with you; but I will die at my quarters before a man
shall be taken from the ship." The crew gave three cheers, ran to quarters, and called for "Yankee Doodle"; Surprise departed.
In March Ganges was ordered to convoy Kingston, carrying American Consul General Dr. Stevens to Haiti
On 16 June Ganges, with Norfolk, captured French privateer Vainquere off Saint Bartholomews
In July she captured Eliza
On 5 August she captured La Rabateuse, a French "letter of marque"
On 16 August retook American schooner John from the French
On 20 August Ganges captured a small French letter of marque off St. Thomas
Captured L'Eugene 2 October
Recaptured American schooner Laurel
At Philadelphia CAPT. Tingey was relieved by CAPT. John Mullowny on 16 November
Ganges sailed in December for the West Indies convoying American merchantmen until May 1800 when she returned to the States
In May 1800 Ganges sailed for Havana
On 19 July she captured schooner Prudent
On 20 July recaptured American brigantine Dispatch
The 21st she took schooner Phoebe
On 28 July Ganges captured French privateer La Fortune
In September, her crew ridden with fever, she returned to the United States
Ganges sailed, 31 January 1801, again with a convoy for Havana
En route she was severely damaged by a storm and put into Basseterre Roads, St. Christopher
On 2 March she was found "unfit for sea." and remained on the Guadeloupe station
She reached Philadelphia early in June where she was sold 8 December for $21,000
Final Disposition, fate unknown
Specifications:
Displacement 504 t.
Length 116'4"
Beam 31'4"
Depth of Hold 15'8"
Draft unknown
Speed unknown
Complement 220
Armament twenty-six 9-pdrs
Propulsion sail
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USS Ganges
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
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| Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves |
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Proof of ownership of Ganges signed Thomas Tingey, Captain, USN
This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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Last Updated 24 March 2017