HMS Cormorant (1781)

HMS Cormorant was probably launched in 1780 at Plymouth, Massachusetts. She was commissioned as the Massachusetts privateer Rattlesnake in 1781. The Royal Navy captured her shortly after she set out on a cruise and purchased her. In November 1781 she carried to England the first news of General Cornwallis's defeat. The Royal Navy registered her under the name Cormorant. In 1783 the navy renamed her Rattlesnake. It paid her off and sold her in 1786.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Cormorant and HMS Rattlesnake.

American privateer Rattlesnake (circa 1781)
History
Massachusetts
NameRattlesnake
NamesakeRattlesnake
BuilderJohn Peck, Plymouth, Massachusetts (probably)
Launched1780
Captured17 June 1781
Great Britain
NameHMS Cormorant
NamesakeCormorant
AcquiredBy capture
RenamedRattlesnake (1783)
FateSold 10 October 1786
General characteristics
Tons burthen198+70⁄94 or 200 bm
Length
  • 89 ft 3 in (27.2 m) (overall)
  • 74 ft 11 in (22.8 m) (keel)
Beam22 ft 4 in (6.8 m)
Depth of hold8 ft 10+1⁄2 in (2.7 m)
PropulsionSails
Complement
  • Rattlesnake:85
  • HMS Cormorant:90
Armament
  • Rattlesnake: 20 guns
  • HMS Cormorant: 18 × light 4-pounder guns ("of the shortest construction") + 10 × ½-pounder swivel guns
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