On 17 September 1779 Confederacy was ordered to carry the French Minister and his family back to France. Later, John Jay, the first American Minister to Spain, his secretary, and family were added to the passenger list.
During the passage on November 7, 1779 Confederacy was completely demasted and almost lost, but managed through the skillful seamanship of Captain Harding to reach Martinique early in December. After repairs, she returned to convoy duty.
While homeward bound in 1781 with military stores and other supplies, Confederacy was forced to strike her flag to the British ships HMS Roebuck and Orpheus. She was subsequently taken into the British service and renamed the HMS Confederate.
| Type: | Frigate |
| Displacement: | 959 tons |
| Length: | 153 ft |
| Beam: | 35 ft 6 in |
| Complement: | 260 officers and men |
| Armament: | • 28 × 12-pounder guns • 8 × 6-pounder guns |
2 comments:
gee....wish there were more detailed photographs of this super model......i've just basically finished the masts, and am wondering how the heck you rigged the ship without destroying a lot of the work you have already done......sheesh.....i see this ain't gonna be easy.....cheers, vic
Hello Dave,
What a beautiful job you've done with the Confederacy. I actually have a close personal connection to this vessel. One of the teenage midshipmen who served on this ship at the time of its capture was my great-great-great-great grandfather, James Leander Cathcart (I am a direct descendant on my late mother's side). A retired Capitol Hill reporter down here in the swamp, I am now working on a book about Cathcart in which the Confederacy is featured, of course.
I would dearly love to replicate your work but, at age 70, I fear it would take the rest of my life (literally) with mediocre results. I will simply admire your artistry from afar instead.
All the best,
Craig Roberts
Washington, DC
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