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The first 'USS ''Delaware''' of the United States Navy was a 28-gun sailing frigate that had a short career in the American Revolutionary War.
The ship was built under the 13 December 1775 order of the Continental Congress in the yard of Warwick Coates of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under the direction of the Marine Committee. Upon her launching in July 1776, Captain C. Alexander took command.
''Delaware'' served in the Delaware River, joining with Commodore J. Hazelwood's Pennsylvania state ships in operations which delayed the British Fleet in approaching Philadelphia and supplying the British Army. When the British took possession of Philadelphia 26 September 1777, ''Delaware'' in company with several smaller ships advanced upon the enemy fortifications which were being erected, and opened a destructive fire while anchored some 500 yards from shore. On 27 September she went aground on the ebb tide and came under the concentrated fire of the British artillery. After a brave defense against overwhelming odds, Captain Alexander was compelled to strike his colors. ''Delaware'' was taken into the Royal Navy, and sold in March 1783.
(Fr: dp. 563; l. 119'; b. 32'11"; dph. 9'9"; a. 22 12-pdr., 6 6-pdr.)