America	Commander Johnson
Frigate	[November 1777]-
[unknown] Privateer Ship

Commissioned/First Date:	2 January 1778-
Out of Service/Cause:

Owners:

Tonnage:

Battery:

Date Reported: 2 January 1778 Number/Caliber  Weight        Broadside 20/ Total: 20 cannon/ Broadside: 10 cannon/ Swivels:

Crew:

Description:

Officers:

Cruises:

Prizes:

Actions:

Comments:

This otherwise unknown American privateer, the America, was mentioned in a British intelligence report as being at Dunkerque, France in January 1778, completing her provisions and water. She was said to be commanded by one Johnson and to be armed with twenty guns. On 2 January 1778 the Admiralty ordered a small frigate, HM Frigate Lively (Captain Robert Biggs) to proceed to sea, accompanied by a sloop, in search of the privateer.¹

__________

¹ NDAR, “Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to Captain Robert Biggs, R.N.,” XI, 864-865 and 865 notes