USS Hancock (1776)

The second "Hancock" was one of the first 13 frigates of the Continental Navy authorized by resolution of the Continental Congress of British North America, 13 December 1775. She was named for John Hancock.

As "Hancock"

"Hancock" was built at Newburyport, Massachusetts, and placed under command of Captain John Manley 17 April 1776. After a long delay in fitting out and manning, she departed Boston, Massachusetts in company with Continental frigate USS|Boston|1777|2, 21 May 1777. On 29 May they captured a small brig loaded with cordage and duck. The next day they encountered a convoy of transports escorted by British 64-gun ship HMS|Somerset|1748|2 which set sail to close "Hancock". Manley was saved by clever and well-timed action of "Boston" who forced "Somerset" to give up the chase by taking on the transports.

After escaping from "Somerset", the two frigates sailed to the northeast until 7 June when they engaged the Royal Navy's 28-gun frigate HMS|Fox|1773|2 who tried to outsail her American enemies. "Hancock" gave chase and soon overhauled "Fox" who lost her mainmast and suffered other severe damage in the ensuing duel. About an hour later, "Boston" joined the battle and compelled "Fox" to strike her colors.

"Hancock" spent the next few days repairing the prize and then resumed cruising along the coast of New England. East of Cape Sable she took an enemy coal sloop which she towed until the next morning when the approach of a British squadron prompted Manley to set the coal sloop ablaze and leave her adrift. The British brig "Flora" recaptured "Fox" after a hot action. "Boston" became separated from "Hancock" who tried to outsail her pursuers. Early in the morning 8 July 1777 the British were within striking distance. HMS|Rainbow|1747|2 began to score with her bowchaser and followed with a series of broadsides which finally forced "Hancock" to strike her colors after a chase of some 39 hours.

As HMS "Iris"

"Hancock", renamed "Iris", served the British Navy so effectively that her new owners boasted of her as "the finest and fastest frigate in the world." The most famous of the many prizes which made her officers wealthy men was the American 28-gun ship USS|Trumbull|1776|2, captured 28 August 1781.

In the aftermath of the Battle of the Chesapeake, admirals Graves and Hood left the Chesapeake waters; the French set a solid screen of fast frigates to intercept enemy shipping. Prior to retreating, Hood dispatched two frigates, "Iris" and "Richmond", to general Cornwallis in New York. September 9, 1781, they were intercepted by four French frigates; "Richmond" fell back and surrendered first, then French frigate "Heron", under captain Traversay, captured "Isis". Traversay boarded "Isis", assumed command and held it till the end of war.

As Royal French "Iris"

On November 4, 1781, "Iris", with the main French fleet, sailed from Annapolis to the Antilles. In January 1782 "Iris" took part in the Battle of St. Kitts. "Iris" captured a small British sloop. On the eve of Battle of the Saintes admiral de Grasse detached "Iris" to convoy unarmed troop transports; "Iris" completed her mission while the main French force suffered a humiliating defeat. In the late stages of war "Iris" continued reconnaissance, bounty hunting, and finally performed a diplomatic mission, bringing an offer of ceasefire to British-occupied New York.

As Republican French "Iris"

When the British took Toulon in 1793 they found "Iris" dismantled and used as a powder hulk. The British blew her up as they evacuated Toulon.

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