USS Potomac (1822)
USS Potomac | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| United States | |
| Name | Potomac |
| Laid down | August 1819 |
| Launched | March 1822 |
| Commissioned | 1831 |
| Decommissioned | 13 January 1877 |
| Fate | Sold 24 May 1877 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Raritan-class frigate First class frigate |
| Tonnage | 1,726 |
| Length | 177.83 ft (54.20 m) |
| Beam | 46.17 ft (14.07 m) |
| Draft | 20.5 ft (6.2 m) |
| Complement | 480 officers and men |
| Armament | 42 32-pounder guns, 8 8-inch "shell" guns |
USS Potomac was a frigate in the United States Navy laid down by the Washington Navy Yard in August 1819 and launched in March 1822. Fitting out was not completed until 1831, when Captain John Downes assumed command as first commanding officer. Although called a "44" 1st class, she was built to mount 32 carronades on her spar deck, 30 long guns on her gun deck, two bow and three stern chasers on each of these decks, significantly under-rating her on the rating system of the Royal Navy.