Portsmouth in Rockingham County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)
The Continental Frigate "Raleigh"
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2017
1. The Continental Frigate "Raleigh" Marker
On Rindge’s Wharf, Portsmouth,
May 21, 1776,
six weeks before
The Declaration of Independence,
there was launched
The Continental Frigate “Raleigh,”
the First
American Man-of-War
built on the Piscataqua,
keel laid March 21, 1776,
Act of Congress, Dec. 13, 1775.
Erected 1926 by Piscataqua Pioneers.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is May 21, 1776.
Location. 43° 4.51′ N, 70° 45.626′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in Rockingham County. Marker is on Middle Street (U.S. 1) north of State Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is a metal plaque mounted above eye level on the east side of the Historic John Paul Jones House, near the southeast corner of the house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth NH 03801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In This House Admiral (John) Paul Jones Resided (here, next to this marker); John Paul Jones House (here, next to this marker); Frank Jones's Hotels (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of "Negro Burying Ground"
this page online
More about this marker. This marker and an unrelated marker are mounted on the wall, between a window and the southeast corner of the house, and protected by a frame holding a transparent plastic cover.
Also see . . .
1. Continental Frigate Raleigh (1775).
One of the Revolutionary War frigates, Raleigh was authorized by the Continental Congress in December, 1775, laid down in March of 1776 and launched in May of the same year, a remarkably short time for construction of a frigate. Designed and built by Hackett, Hill, and Paul at Portsmouth, NH, the Raleigh appears on the great seal of the state of New Hampshire. (Submitted on April 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Continental frigate Raleigh, 1776-1778.
The Continental frigate Raleigh was launched on May 21, 1776, at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with a full-length figure of Sir Walter
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2017
2. The Continental Frigate "Raleigh" Marker (tall view; showing unrelated marker above this one)
3. Frigates, Brigs, Sloops, Schooners, and the Early Continental Navy’s Struggle for Success.
In 1775, Americans were no strangers to the ways of the sea, either in peace or in war. In the years immediately before the outbreak of the rebellion, Americans demonstrated their growing disenchantment with British rule by taking action against ships collecting revenue or delivering tea in Boston Harbor. Once the revolution began, Americans recognized that events in the Atlantic Ocean theater would have a major, and potentially decisive, impact on the course of the war in North America. The USS Raleigh was one of thirteen ships that the Continental Congress authorized for the Continental Navy in 1775. Following her capture in 1778, she served in the Royal Navy as
3. John Paul Jones House (east side; marker visible near corner at right)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2017
4. John Paul Jones House (southeast corner view; marker hidden by tree leaves)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 269 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
