Surprise (1777 ship)
| History | |
|---|---|
| Great Britain | |
| Name | HMS Race Horse (or Racehorse) |
| Acquired | June 1776 by purchase |
| Fate | Captured 8 December 1776 |
| Name | Surprise |
| Acquired | 1776 |
| Commissioned | 1777 |
| Fate | Destroyed 15 November 1777 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Sloop |
| Tons burthen | 98 (bm) |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 20 ft 9 in (6.3 m) (overall) |
| Depth of hold | 9 ft (2.7 m) (overall) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Armament | 10 × 4-pounder guns |
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USS Surprise was a 10-gun sloop of the Continental Navy. She was originally the merchantman Hercules which the Royal Navy had purchased in 1776 and renamed HMS Racehorse. USS Andrew Doria captured Racehorse in 1776 and the Americans took her into service as Surprise. Her own crew scuttled Surprise on 15 December 1777 to prevent the Royal Navy from recapturing her.