Protector (1779 frigate)
| History | |
|---|---|
 Massachusetts
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| Name: | Protector |
| Launched: | 1779, Newburyport, Massachusetts |
| Captured: | 5 May 1781 |
 United Kingdom
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| Name: | HMS Hussar |
| Namesake: | Hussar |
| Acquired: | 1781 by capture |
| Fate: | Sold 1783 |
 Denmark
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| Name: | Hussaren |
| Owner: | Frédéric de Coninck |
| Acquired: | 1783 by purchase |
| Fate: | Sold c. 1787 |
 Britain
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| Name: | Hussar |
| Acquired: | 1787 by purchase |
| Fate: | No longer listed by 1790 |
| Notes: | Lloyd's Register describes Hussar as a three-decker. |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen: |
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| Sail plan: | Ship |
| Complement: |
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| Armament: |
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Protector was a frigate of the Massachusetts Navy, launched in 1779. She fought a notable single-ship action against a British privateer General Duff before the British Royal Navy captured her in 1781. The Royal Navy took her into service as the sixth-rate post ship HMS Hussar. Hussar too engaged in a notable action against the French 32-gun frigate Sybille. The Royal Navy sold Hussar in 1783 and a Dutch ship-owner operating from Copenhagen purchased her. She made one voyage to the East Indies for him before he sold her to British owners circa 1786. She leaves Lloyd's Register by 1790.
Captain John Foster Williams received command of the new 20 or 28-gun frigate Protector in the spring of 1780 and took her to sea in June. In accordance with instructions from the Board of War, the new warship cruised in the vicinity of the Newfoundland Banks, on the lookout for British merchantmen. Her vigilance was rewarded early in June.
At 0700 on 9 June 1780, Protector spotted a strange ship bearing down on her, flying British colors. At 1100, Protector, also flying English colors, hailed the stranger and found her to be the 32-gun letter-of-marque Admiral Duff, bound for London from St. Kitts. When the enemy's identity had been ascertained, Protector hauled down British colors and ran up the Continental flag—opening fire almost simultaneously. The action ensued for the next hour and one-half, until Admiral Duff caught fire and exploded, leaving 55 survivors for Protector to rescue soon thereafter.
In May 1781, Lloyd's List reported that the rebel frigates Dean and Protector had captured John, Ashburner, master, from Lancaster to St. Kitts, and a ship sailing from Glasgow to Jamaica with 900 barrels of beef and a quantity of dry goods, and had taken them into Martinique.
In June, Lloyd's List reported that the American privateer Protector, of 28 guns and 179 men, had captured Sally, Townsend, master, which had been sailing from st Kitts to New York.
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Wikipedia