USS Reprisal (1776)

USS Reprisal

The Reprisal, chased by a British cruiser (wood engraving by Alexander Anderson, c. 1848)
History
United States
Name	USS Reprisal
Acquired	March 28, 1776
Fate	Sunk, October 1, 1777
General characteristics
Type	Brig
Length	100 ft (30 m)
Beam	30 ft (9.1 m)
Complement	130 officers and enlisted
Armament	18 × 6-pounder guns
Service record
Part of:	Continental Navy
Commanders:	Capt. Lambert Wickes
Operations:	Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet

USS Reprisal, 18, was the first ship of what was to become the United States Navy to be given the name promising hostile action in response to an offense. Originally the merchantman brig Molly, she was purchased from Robert Morris by the Marine Committee of the Continental Congress on March 28, 1776, renamed Reprisal, and placed under the command of Captain Lambert Wickes.