Age of Sail
On 27 March 1794, President George Washington signed the Naval Armament Act of 1794. The act called for the construction of six frigates, commissioning of officers, and raising of crews. It specified ship manning levels, pay, and rations as well. After the American Revolution, the Continental Navy was slowly disbursed with the last frigate, Alliance, sold in Philadelphia on 3 June 1785. During the War of 1812, brigs acquired distinction in small fleet engagements on the Great Lakes and as merchant raiders in the Atlantic. As brigs required a large crew, schooners were often used because they handled better in coastal winds and required a smaller crew. Sloops were usually smaller, three-masted vessels commanded by a master commandant.
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Ships of the Age of Sail
On 9 September 1813, United States frigate President, commanded by Commodore John Rodgers, was on its way home after a cruise when south of Nantucket was British schooner HMS Highflyer, commanded by 2nd Lieutenant William Hutchinson. When passing the British schooner, Rodgers sent a lieutenant, dressed in a British uniform, on board it. The lieutenant successfully commandeered a book of British signals and where different British ships were on the American coast (USN 903314).
Frigates
Schooners