- HMS Drake (1777)
HMS "Drake" was a twenty-gun
sloop-of-war of theRoyal Navy . Originally named "Resolution", she was purchased in1777 . She served in theAmerican Revolutionary War , and onApril 24 ,1778 , offCarrickfergus ,Ireland , she fought theNorth Channel naval duel with the 18-gun sloop "Ranger" of theContinental Navy , commanded by CaptainJohn Paul Jones . Five 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 onMay 8 ,1778 . This was the first, and most decisive, American victory over any Royal Navy vessel in British waters.Sources
*
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships , history of USS "Ranger" [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/r/ranger.htm]
* SeacoastNH French Buy Piscataqua Prize [http://seacoastnh.com/Maritime_History/John_Paul_Jones/He_Bought_HMS_Drake/]
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