USS Sachem (1776)

The first "Sachem" was a sloop of war in the United States Navy during the American Revolutionary War.

The Continental brigantine USS|Lexington|1776|2, commanded by Captain John Barry, captured the sloop HMS|Edward, a tender to British frigate HMS|Liverpool|1758|6, off the Delaware Capes on 7 April 1776, after a fierce, one-hour fight. "Lexington" escorted her prize to Philadelphia where "Edward" was libeled on April 13, condemned on April 29, and purchased by the Marine Committee of the Continental Congress on 2 May. Renamed USS "Sachem", the sloop was fitted out under the direction of 17-year-old Joshua Barney who received his commission as a lieutenant while the ship was being prepared for sea. Shortly before "Sachem" was ready for action, Captain Isaiah Robinson assumed command of the sloop.

On 6 July, "Sachem", carrying dispatches for Barry who was patrolling the mouth of the bay, dropped down the Delaware. The orders directed Barry to put to sea in "Lexington". Since Barry declined the suggestion that the two ships cruise together, they parted after clearing the capes. On 12 August, "Sachem" fought brigantine, "Three Friends", for over two hours before the British letter of marque surrendered.

Robinson sent the prize to Philadelphia for adjudication and, since "Sachem" had suffered substantial damage in the battle, she followed "Three Friends" into port for repairs.

After "Sachem" was back in fighting trim, she was placed under the direction of the Secret Committee which handled procurement matters for the Continental Congress. Few details of her subsequent operations have survived. It is known that she sailed for the West Indies on 29 March 1777 carrying dispatches for William Bingham, the Continental agent in Martinique. These letters were duplicates of earlier messages which had gone astray when the frigate USS|Randolph|1776|2 was diverted to Charleston, South Carolina for repairs after losing two masts.

It is said that "Sachem" was burned in the Delaware River the following autumn to avoid capture by the British, but evidence to substantiate this claim is scant.

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