The ''Connecticut'' was a sailing

frigate A frigate () is a type of warship. In different eras, the roles and capabilities of ships classified as frigates have varied. The name frigate in the 17th to early 18th centuries was given to any full-rigged ship built for speed and maneuvera ...

built by Seth Overton at Chatham, Conn. and launched 6 June 1799 at Middletown, Conn. Her construction ran into delays due to an epidemic that struck New York City, where her copper bolts were being forged. During outfitting, probably on or just before 7 July she foundered. She was refloated. She sailed 15 Oct. 1799 under the command of Captain Moses Tryon for the Guadaloupe Station, arriving off

Puerto Rico ; abbreviated PR), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is a Government of Puerto Rico, self-governing Caribbean Geography of Puerto Rico, archipelago and island organized as an Territories of the United States, unincorporated territo ...

on 28 October. She cruised in the West Indies for a year during the

Quasi-War The Quasi-War was an undeclared war from 1798 to 1800 between the United States and the French First Republic. It was fought almost entirely at sea, primarily in the Caribbean and off the East Coast of the United States, with minor actions in ...

with France, protecting American commerce from French privateers. Connecticut's successful career was highlighted by the capture of four privateers and the recapture of seven American merchantmen. On 7 November 1799 she recaptured schooner "Hannah" captured 72 hours earlier. On 8 December she recaptured brig "Penelope" captured by French privateer "Fleur de Mair" on 3 December. On 28 December she engages captured American schooner "Polly" that is then run ashore a League west of Point Chateaux. After a fight with the prize crew, who were on shore, it was found to be impossible to refloat her and she was burned. On 30 December she captured off Point Petre French privateer brig "Conqueror of Italy" (or "Italic Conqueste"), the most successful privateer operating out of Guadeloupe having captured 200 American merchant ships. "Conquest of Italy" was put in service as a tender for . On 15 January, 1800 She fired upon a privateer (14 guns) but it found shelter by a fort on

Demerara Demerara (; , ) is a historical region in the Guianas, on the north coast of South America, now part of the country of Guyana. It was a colony of the Dutch West India Company between 1745 and 1792 and a colony of the Dutch state from 1792 unti ...

, later that day she chased a ship (22 guns) ashore at Deseada which bilged and sank. On 2 April she stopped and detained ex-American schooner "Commerce" that had been captured by a privateer, condemned by Court at Point Peter and sold to a Dane. Capt. Tryon thought her papers were not "regular" and sent her to

St. Kitts Saint Kitts, officially Saint Christopher, is an island in the West Indies. The west side of the island borders the Caribbean Sea, and the eastern coast faces the Atlantic Ocean. Saint Kitts and the neighbouring island of Nevis constitute one ...

for evaluation, where she was released. On 28 April, with USS Richmond, she recaptured ''Thomas Chalkley''. On 1 June, she captured privateer schooner "Le Piege" off Descada, and on 3 July recaptured brig "Martha and Mary" on the north side of

. On 5 June, captured privateer schooner "La Unite". On 17 June, recaptured a schooner (possibly "Betsy") off Guadalupe. On 15 July, with USS Philadelphia, captured French Letter of Marque ketch "Le Chouchou". Arrived at New London, Conn., 18 Oct. 1800. Capt. Richard Derby was ordered to replace Capt. Tryon on 1 November. In a letter dated 20 February to Josiah Parker, chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, Navy Secretary Stoddert recommended selling her. ''Connecticut'' was sold at New York in 1801 for $19,300. In merchant service until 1808, when she was scrapped. The mensurations are designed by the plan of the Department of the Navy.

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* Website: https://ussconnecticut1799.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Connecticut (1799) Ships of the United States Navy Age of Sail naval ships of the United States 1799 ships Military in Connecticut

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