''Enterprise'' (20 December 1776 – February 1777), was the second

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

ship to bear the name. She was a successful privateer before she was purchased for the

Continental Navy The Continental Navy was the navy of the United States during the American Revolutionary War and was founded October 13, 1775. The fleet cumulatively became relatively substantial through the efforts of the Continental Navy's patron John Adams ...

in 1776. Commanded by Captain James Campbell, the

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''Enterprise'' operated principally in Chesapeake Bay. She convoyed transports, carried out reconnaissance, and guarded the shores against foraging raids by the British. Only meager records of her service have been found; they indicate that she was apparently returned to the Maryland Council of Safety in 1777. Only commissioned ships of the US Navy carry the USS (United States Ship). The Navy also uses the prefix retroactively for ships that would have been commissioned under current practice. Since the first was still in service, this ''Enterprise'' would not have been commissioned by the US Navy and does not use the USS prefix.

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''Enterprise'' (II)
at DANFS * {{cite web , url=http://www.sandcastlevi.com/sea/enterprise/voych03.htm , title=An ''Enterprise'' for the Continental Navy , work=Voyages of the Enterprise , publisher=SandcastleVI.com Enterprise (1776)

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