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The first USS ''George Washington'' was a sloop in the United States Navy. She was named after President George Washington. ''George Washington'' was built as a merchant vessel at Providence, R.I., in 1793; purchased by the Congress at Providence 12 October 1798 from John Brown and John Francis for $10,400 in cash and $30,000 in 6 percent navy stock, for use in the developing undeclared naval war (the so-called Quasi-War) with France, and converted to a warship under the supervision of Captain Silas Talbot with Captain Patrick Fletcher in command.〔Ignatius, 1938 pp.369〕〔U.S.Navy, DANFS, USS ''George Washington'', page article, 3rd prgh〕 ==Service== ''George Washington'' proceeded in early December to Dominica, in the West Indies, to join Commodore John Barry's squadron for the protection of American commercial against the many French privateer's preying on US shipping and commerce. She rendezvoused with Barry in the and the USS ''Constitution'' at sea 29 December and arrived Dominica next day. For the next few months, she convoyed American ships in the West Indies, sailing from St. Christopher's Island to Tobago. During this time, with revenue cutter ''Pickering'', she recaptured two American ships from the French: the brig ''Fair American'' 29 April 1799, and the schooner ''Francis'' on 1 May 1799.〔Ignatius, 1938 p.373〕〔U.S.Navy, DANFS, USS ''George Washington'', page article, 4th prgh〕 She departed the Caribbean in mid-1799, arriving Newport, Rhode Island, 12 June 1799, and after a short stay sailed again 2 July. On this cruise, she searched the coast for French privateers as far south as Charleston, S.C., and then took station off Santo Domingo protecting American commerce. The ''George Washington'' returned to the United States, in October 1799, for extensive repairs.〔Ignatius, 1938 pp.368-369〕〔U.S.Navy, DANFS, USS ''George Washington'', page article, 5th prgh〕 She was taken to Philadelphia in April 1800 and there was outfitted and prepared for sea. in May 1800 Captain William Bainbridge was given command of the ''George Washington''. Lacking a strong navy, the United States accepted the questionable alternative of trying to protect its commerce from the Barbary pirates by paying an annual tribute (extortion). Bainbridge sailed with a load of stores and timber for the Dey of Algiers on 8 August. The ''George Washington'' arrived safely in September, the first American warship to enter the Mediterranean. Unhappily, Bainbridge had to accede to threats and carry the Dey’s presents to the Sultan at Constantinople. He protested vigorously but, in the face of concentrated guns ashore and credible threats of retaliation against American shipping, he departed 19 October. The ''George Washington'' returned to Algiers on 21 January 1801, and after a visit to Alicant arrived back in the United States on 19 April 1801.〔Harris, 1837 pp.43-46〕 The ship underwent repairs and was again fitted to carry stores and timber to Algiers. Manned with only a partial crew, she sailed 20 July 1801 and arrived in Algiers via Málaga, Spain, on 5 October 1801. After calling at Italian and French ports, she returned to Philadelphia about 15 April 1802.〔Allen, 1905, pp.84-85〕 ''George Washington'' was sold in May 1802 by the Navy agent in Philadelphia, George Harrison. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「USS George Washington (1798)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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