Halifax, British Navy Sloop (1768)
Particulars
Vessel type: Topsail Schooner
Designer:
Builder: Likely Halifax Navy Yard; managed by Joseph Grey
Launched: late September 1765
Date Deliver:
Date Modified: 1768 in Portmouth, England, purchased by British Royal Navy on October, 12 1768
Date Wrecked: February 15, 1775, possibly salvaged
Length on deck: 58 feet
Length over all: 99 feet
Beam: 18 feet 3 inches
Depth: 8 feet 10 inches
Draft: about 8 feet
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Rig Type:
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Crew Size: 30
Passenger Capacity:
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Armament: 6 thee-pounders, 8 later 12 ½-pounder swivels
Vessel Description
Initially built as a packet but later converted for naval patrols and armed. Her conversion took place in Portsmouth, England and alterations included raising the cabin deck to increase space in the cabin and raising of the bulwarks to allow for gunport and fighting protection. Her design allowed for quick transit with a small cargo and a limited amount of passengers. Those qualities also made her excellent for naval patrols against smugglers and dissidents. The schooner rig is an early version that still retained significant square sails.
Vessel History
Originally named Nova Scotia Packet, she launched in September 1765 with her first voyage commencing on October 15, 1765 with Benjamin Green, Jr. as captain. Every eight days she sailed between Halifax and Boston, weather permitting, making a total of twenty-three round trips as a merchant vessel. Commodore Samuel Hood chartered her in July 1768 for Portsmouth from Halifax and recommended her purchase by the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy bought her on October 12, 1768 for coastal patrols off of New England, which became increasingly resistant toward the British government. Lieutenant Samuel Scott commanded her and sailed back to North American in 1769. Later that years she confiscated John Hancock’s Liberty. She returned to Great Britain in December 1770 but sailed back again under the command of Lieutenant Abraham Crespin in 1771. Another commander included Lieutenant Jacob Rodgers in 1773. Under the command of Lieutenant Joseph Nunn she sank on February 15 near Machais, Maine.
