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Rhode Island Privateer Sloop America




America

Commander Nathaniel Packer

Armed Sloop

August 1776-

Rhode Island Privateer Sloop


Commissioned/First Date:

13 August 1776

Out of Service/Cause:


Owners:

Joseph and William Russel, Ambrose Page, and Nicholas Brown, [all of Providence, Rhode Island]


Tonnage:


Battery:

Date Reported:

Number/Caliber  Weight        Broadside


Total:

Broadside:

Swivels:


Crew:


Description:


Officers:


Cruises:

(1) [Providence, Rhode Island] to St. Croix, Danish West Indies, 21 August 1776-[7 September] 1776

(2) St. Croix, Danish West Indies to [Providence, Rhode Island], [14 September] 1776-30 September 1776


Prizes:


Actions:


Comments:

Rhode Island Privateer Sloop America was owned by prominent citizens of Providence, Rhode Island. Joseph and William Russel owned a foundry or shipyard, Nicholas Brown was a preeminent merchant who was involved in Continental contracts and the foundry business; both the Russels and Brown were on the Rhode Island Frigate Committee. America was commissioned in August 1776 under Commander Nathaniel Packard, with her owner listed as “Abram” Page.1 She was ordered to sail to St. Croix for cargo on 21 August 1776.2 She sailed the same day and was back in Providence by 30 September 1776.3

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1 Sheffield, An Address Delivered by William P. Sheffield before the Rhode Island Historical Society, 59

2 NDAR, 6, 251-252 and 252 note

3 NDAR, 6, 1058-1059 and 1059 note