| The first Maryland, a sloop, was built by public subscription
in Baltimore under the Act of 30 June 1798; launched at Price Shipyard,
Baltimore, Maryland, 3 June 1799; and accepted by the Navy in August 1799,
Capt. John Rodgers in command. |
| Maryland departed Baltimore 13 September
1799 for the Surinam station. Arriving 1 October, the sloop cruised from
French Guiana to Curacao protection American shipping from attacks by French
warships and privateers. The Napoleonic wars were raging in Europe and the
French were searching and seizing merchant vessels trading with the British
West Indies, causing much loss to American commerce. Maryland captured
the schooner Clarissa, an American slave trader without papers 4 January
1800, and then on 26 July fell in with and recaptured without a fight the
Portuguese brig Gloria da Mar, which had been captured by French privateer
Cherry only 13 days previous. |
| The sloop cleared Surinam for home 9 August 1800, having served
since December 1799 as the only American naval vessel on the Surinam station.
Sailing by way of St. Kitts, and St. Thomas, Maryland escorted a large
convoy of American and British merchant vessels to safe waters, in addition
to capturing Aerial, an American merchantman without papers, 2
September. |
| She arrived Baltimore 1 October for repairs. Maryland departed
Baltimore 22 March 1801 with Congressman John Dawson of Virginia, President
Adams' designated bearer of the amended and ratified Pinckney Treaty with
France, and arrived Havre de Grace, France, in early May. The sloop remained
until 15 July, when, because of difficulties in obtaining ratification, she
was released by Congressman Dawson and sent home. Carrying several diplomatic
passengers and important letters and dispatches, she returned to her home
port Baltimore 28 August. Captain Rodgers discharged the crew and then sold
Maryland 2 October 1801 for $20,200. |
Tonnage, 380; Complement, 180; Armament, thirty 9-pdrs., six
6-pdrs. |
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