USS Congress (1777)

History
United States
Ordered:	1775
Builder:	Lancaster Burling
Laid down:	date unknown
Out of service:	1777
Struck:	1777 (est.)
Fate:	burned to prevent capture by the British in 1777
General characteristics
Type:	28-gun frigate
Length:	126’ (between perpendiculars)
Beam:	34' 10"
Depth of hold:	10' 6"
Propulsion:	sail
Speed:	not known
Complement:	not known
Armament:	26 x 12-pounders guns 2 x 6-pounders guns

For other ships with the same name, see USS Congress.

USS Congress (1777) was a 28-gun frigate of the Continental Navy that was scheduled to participate in the American Revolutionary War against the British. However, while being outfitted prior to her first sailing, the British approached and the Americans set her afire in order to prevent her capture.

Ordered by Act of the Second Congress

Congress was a sailing frigate built by Lancaster Burling at Poughkeepsie, New York, under authority of an act of the Second Continental Congress, dated 13 December 1775. One of the first 13 ships authorized to be built by the new government, she was placed under the command of Captain Grenell in the summer of 1776.

Burned to prevent capture

Before her outfitting was completed, the British occupied the approaches to the Hudson River and extended their control of the environs throughout 1777. The infant Continental Navy suffered the destruction of Congress in October 1777 to prevent her seizure by the enemy.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.