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A
Massachusetts Privateer Sloop American




American

Commander John Atwood

Armed Sloop

3 May 1777-

Massachusetts Privateer Sloop


Commissioned/First Date:

3 May 1777

Out of Service/Cause:


Owners:

Stephen Sampson of Plymouth, Massachusetts et al


Tonnage:

75


Battery:

Date Reported: 3 May 1777

Number/Caliber  Weight        Broadside

10/

Total: 10 cannon/

Broadside: 5 cannon/

Swivels:


Crew:

3 May 1777: 56 [total]


Description:


Officers:


Cruises:


Prizes:


Actions:


Comments:

The 75-ton1 Massachusetts Privateer Sloop American was commissioned on 3 May 1777 under Commander John Atwood of Eastham, Massachusetts. She was listed as being armed with ten guns and as having a crew of fifty-five men. Her $5000 Continental bond was signed by Atwood and by Stephen Sampson of Plymouth, Massachusetts and Samuel Allyne Otis of Boston, Massachusetts. The owners were listed as Sampson and others.2

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1 Claghorn, Naval Officers of the American Revolution, 9

2 Allen, Massachusetts Privateers of the Revolution, 72