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Alfred

The first American Flagship, 1775. Alfred was converted from a merchantman into a light frigate and became the first flagship of the new Continental Navy in 1775, flying the Grand Union flag of the United Colonies.

This was John Paul Jones’ first command.

The Alfred was the first American flagship, known for its crucial role in the American Revolutionary War. It was originally a merchant ship named the Black Prince, but was purchased by the Continental Congress in 1775 to serve as a warship. The Alfred was named after King Alfred the Great of England, a symbol of Anglo-Saxon resistance and independence, and was fittingly the first vessel to bear the newly adopted American flag.

The Alfred was a 297-ton ship with three masts and a length of 80 feet. It was armed with 24 guns and had a crew of 200 sailors, led by Captain Dudley Saltonstall. The ship was refitted and strengthened for battle, and became the flagship of Commodore Esek Hopkins, the first commander-in-chief of the Continental Navy.

The Alfred played a pivotal role in the early months of the Revolutionary War. On December 3, 1775, it sailed from Philadelphia with a fleet of four other ships, marking the first naval expedition of the newly formed Continental Navy. The fleet’s mission was to disrupt British supply lines and capture British ships, as well as to boost the morale of the colonists.

Under the command of Captain Saltonstall, the Alfred proved to be a formidable force. It captured several British ships and successfully raided the island of New Providence in the Bahamas, securing much-needed supplies and ammunition for the Continental Army. The Alfred also played a crucial role in the Battle of Nassau, where it helped to secure a victory for the American forces.

The Alfred’s most notable contribution, however, was its role in the first official raising of the American flag. On December 3, 1775, as the fleet sailed from Philadelphia, the Alfred flew the Grand Union flag – a combination of the British Union Jack and 13 alternating red and white stripes symbolizing the 13 colonies. This flag was later replaced by the familiar stars and stripes design, but the Grand Union flag remains an important symbol of American history.

The Alfred continued to serve as the flagship of the Continental Navy until 1776, when it was sold due to financial constraints. Despite its short time in service, the Alfred was a crucial vessel in the early stages of the Revolutionary War and helped to establish the American Navy as a formidable force. Its legacy lives on as an important symbol of American independence and the spirit of the American Revolution.