Object Status:
Unlocated
Accession Date:
October 1778
Primary Source Reference:
Du Simitière Memorandum Books, Library of Congress, fol. 34r
Additional Source Text:
"& underneath wrote, continental sloop of war Reprisal done & given me by Mr. Wm. Fisher Jun. of this city [Philadelphia]."
Notes:
In March 1776 the merchantman brig Molly was purchased from Robert Morris by the Marine Committee of the Continental Congress,renamed Reprisal, and placed under the command of Capt. Lambert Wickes. She carried Benjamin Franklin to France in October 1776, becoming the first vessel of the Continental Navy to arrive in European waters. About 1 Oct 1777 Reprisal was lost off the banks of Newfoundland and all 129 on board, except the cook, went down with her.
