Mississippi (CGN 40) - Naval Cruise Book

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PROVIDENCE Sloop, 12 guns, 90 men By June of 1775 the General Assembly of Rhode Island had grown tired of British men-of-war preying on the colony ' s shipping. The Assembly appointed a committee to obtain and fit out ships for the colony ' s defense. In a single day the committee chartered the sloop KATY from the Providence ship owner and appointed a captain, and that evening KATY captured a small British tender. The naval half of the War for Independence had begun. After cruising Narragansett Bay protecting coastal shipping throughout the summer, and an autumn trip to Bermuda in search of gunpowder for the impoverished Continental Army, KATY was formally purchased by Rhode Island on 31 October. KATY sailed to Philadelphia carrying newly enlisted sailors and was taken into Continental service. Her new name was PROVIDENCE, and she joined a squadron formed by Congress in January 1776 under the command of Esek Hopkins, designated the Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet of the United Colonies. Hopkins led his tiny fleet south to the Bahamas. On March 1 they seized two sloops, which were loaded with 200 marines and 50 sailors. Two days later the Americans staged an amphibious landing at New Providence; under the protection Of guns from PROVIDENCE and other ships. They captured Fort Montagne, and the next day took Fort Nassau. In control of the island, Hopkins and PROVIDENCE sailed into the harbor and loaded captured niuriiti !)nsi to. bring 6ine to the Continental Army. On the voyage back to New London, the Americans captured four British prizes. sailed alone tor iNe , , . PROVIDENCE again captured Fort Nassau, releasmg American prisoners, and taking : :»- ' =+ ' »» f ' the American armies. She also capture. and five other ships which had bee the British. After returning her pr „,» , -,»Tfi PROVIDENCE in April captured HMS Brig DILIGEN1, 12 guns, off Cape Cod. In August PROVIDENCE was caught in Penobscot River in Massachusette when a superior British force moved into the area. She was destroyed by her crew to prevent her capture by the enemy. The tiny PROVIDENCE was the first ship to defend the new nation. Her success, daring, and able seamanship set the precedent for the proud American Navy to come.

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Clockwise from upper right: LTJG Wray and BMCS Siddell conduct GQ fire fighting training; The prospect of Uberty call in Morocco brings a smile to ET2 Jack Gypin; One of 193 sunsets during the trip; Waiting for helos isn ' t so bad for HT2 Rob Nissenzone; Turnover day in Morrocro, with the TEXAS and the SOUTH CAROLINA in the background. The arrival of our reliefs brings an end to another chapter in the life of the MISSISSIPPI.

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Men of the Mississippi 13