The first USS ''Columbus'' was a ship in the Continental Navy. Built as a merchant ship at

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in 1774 as ''Sally'', she was purchased from Willing,

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& Co., for the Continental Navy in November 1775, Captain

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was given command. Between 17 February and 8 April 1776, in company with the other ships of Commodore Esek Hopkins' squadron, ''Columbus'' took part in the expedition to New Providence,

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, where the first Navy- Marine

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seized essential military supplies. On the return passage, the squadron captured the

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schooner, ''Hawk'', on 4 April, and brig ''Bolton'' on the 5th. On 6 April the squadron

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. After three hours the action was broken off and ''Glasgow'' escaped, leaving her tender to be captured. Later in 1776 ''Columbus'' cruised off the

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coast taking five prizes. Chased ashore on Point Judith,

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, 27 March 1778 by a British squadron, ''Columbus'' was stripped of her sails, most of her rigging, and other usable material by her crew before being abandoned. She was burned by the enemy.

Sources

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Columbus Ships of the Continental Navy Ships built in Philadelphia Maritime incidents in 1778