USS Alfred
Painting of Alfred by William Nowland Van Powell, depicting Lieutenant John Paul Jones hoisting the Continental Union Flag in Philadelphia on December 3, 1775 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Great Britain | |
| Name | Black Prince |
| Namesake | Edward the Black Prince |
| Owner | Willing, Morris & Co. |
| Launched | 1774 |
| Homeport | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Fate | Sold on December 3, 1775 |
| United States | |
| Name | USS Alfred |
| Namesake | Alfred the Great |
| Ordered | November 4, 1775 |
| Commissioned | December 3, 1775 |
| Fate | Captured on March 9, 1778 |
| Great Britain | |
| Name | HMS Alfred |
| Acquired | March 1778 |
| Fate | Sold in 1782 |
| Great Britain | |
| Name | Alfred |
| Owner | T. Seale |
| Acquired | 1782 |
| Notes | Still in service in 1789 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 440 (bm) |
| Length | 140 ft (43 m) |
| Beam | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Draft | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Complement | 220 officers and men |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Commanders: |
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| Operations: | |
USS Alfred was a 24-gun frigate of the Continental Navy. She was originally the merchantman Black Prince which had been launched in 1774. The Continental Navy acquired her in 1775, renaming her Alfred and commissioning her as a frigate. In 1775, Alfred participated in the raid of Nassau and Battle of Block Island. The Royal Navy captured her in 1778 and took her into service as HMS Alfred before selling her in 1782. She then became the merchantman Alfred, and sailed between London and the British colony of Jamaica.