Home > USS Wasp

• The first Wasp was a merchant schooner originally named Scorpion and purchased by the Continental Navy in late 1775. Wasp and sister ship Hornet set sail from Baltimore on January 14, 1776, becoming the first ships from the Continental Fleet to set to sea. Wasp served the Continental Navy well capturing many vessels to include: HMS Betsy , Leghorn Galley and Two Brothers . Wasp also recaptured USS Success , previously taken by HMS Roebuck . In the fall of 1777, Wasp was run aground, set on fire and destroyed when its gunpowder exploded.

• The second Wasp was a sloop constructed in 1806 and commissioned some time in 1807. Wasp operated along the coast of the U.S. during the War of 1812. Wasp's single action of war was in October 1812Events January 1 the Allgemeines Burgerliches Gesetzbuch, the Austrian civil code enters into force in the Austrian Empire February 2 Russia establishes a fur trading colony at Fort Ross, California February 7 The strongest in a series of massive earthqua when she engaged HMS FrolicFive vessels of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Frolic . The first Frolic was an 18-gun brig-sloop in service from 1806 to 1813. The second Frolic was a 10-gun brig-sloop launched in 1820 and sold 1838. The third Frolic was a 16-gun sloop launc in battle, firing from a distance of 50-60 yards. Both ships sustained heavy damage, but Wasp prevailed. Later that same day Wasp, heavily damaged and unable to fight or run, surrendered to HMS PoictiersTwo ships of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Poictiers . The first Poictiers was a 74-gun third-rate launched in 1809 and broken up in 1857. The second Poictiers was to have been a 2,380 ton destroyer; she was launched in April 1946 but broken. Wasp served briefly in the Royal NavyThe Royal Navy is the navy of the United Kingdom. It operates a number of aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, fifteen nuclear submarines, and various other ships, as well as aircraft and Britain's amphibious forces, the Royal Marines. The Royal Navy as HMS Peacock and was lost off the Virginia Capes in 18131813 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). Events March 17 Through a newspaper, the Prussian king Frederick William III of Prussia calls for resistance against the Napoleonic occupation April 27 War of 1812: Battle of York.

• The third Wasp was a schooner built in 1810Events January 10 Marriage of Napoleon and Josephine is annulled January 20 Tyrolean rebel leader Andreas Hofer executed March 11 Napoleon marries Marie-Louise of Austria April 19 Venezuela achieves home rule: Emparan, Governor of the Captaincy General is. Put into action in July 1812Events January 1 the Allgemeines Burgerliches Gesetzbuch, the Austrian civil code enters into force in the Austrian Empire February 2 Russia establishes a fur trading colony at Fort Ross, California February 7 The strongest in a series of massive earthqua for a privateering foray, Wasp took two British merchant ships as prizes. She was returned to her owners in November, 1812Events January 1 the Allgemeines Burgerliches Gesetzbuch, the Austrian civil code enters into force in the Austrian Empire February 2 Russia establishes a fur trading colony at Fort Ross, California February 7 The strongest in a series of massive earthqua. Rearmed and refitted she was chartered to the U.S. Navy during the summer of 1813. The last reference to Wasp's career was an advertisement for her owners to settle accounts on August 4, 1814. Presumably, Wasp was sold.

• The fourth Wasp was a sloop chartered on Lake Champlain in the late summer 1813. Of small size and poor sail, Wasp saw no combat. Wasp was returned to her owners in early 1814 and the Lake Champlain battery transferred to the schooner USS Ticonderoga.

• The fifth Wasp was a ship-rigged sloop-of-war constructed in 1813 and commissioned in early 1814. Wasp put to sea on May 1, 1814, for a war cruise to the western approach of the English Channel where she destroyed HMS Avon and captured 15 British ships including HMS Reindeer . Wasp was last seen in late November 1814 by a Swedish merchantman and was apparently lost in a storm at sea.

• The sixth Wasp , originally the captured Confederate iron-hulled sidewheel steamer CSS Emma Henry , was renamed Wasp while under going repairs in June 1865. Her primary duties were protection of American interests in South America and the eastern coast of Africa. Wasp continued those duties until early in 1876 when she was surveyed, found unfit for further service and sold.

• The seventh Wasp , a steam yacht commissioned at New York on April 11, 1898, spent its first year of operation between Florida, Cuba, and Puerto Rico in support of the blockade on Cuba. From the end of 1898 until being formally decommissioned in 1919, Wasp was used as a training ship and recruiting tool. Wasp was sold on December 1, 1919.

• The eighth Wasp (CV-7) was an aircraft carrier that saw action in World War II in the Atlantic and Pacific, until sunk in September 1942.

• The ninth Wasp (CV-18) took the place of the previous Wasp in 1943 and served until 1972.

• The tenth Wasp (LHD-1) is an amphibious assault ship launched in 1989 and on active service as of 2004.