Great news. The Sloop Providence, replica of the American Revolutionary sloop of the same name is sailing again after being laid up for 3 1/2 years. She was purchased last year from the City of Providence by boat builder and captain Thorpe Leeson. The current Sloop Providence dates back to 1976 and has been used in two of the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movies. Over the weekends she was sailed from Providence to Newport, Rhode Island and was open for tours on Sunday at Bowen’s Wharf. The new owners plan to employ the sloop on charters and educational missions.
Historic replica ship visits Newport
The original sloop Providence was built as the merchant vessel, Katy, for John Brown of Providence around 1775. Under the command of Abraham Whipple, the Katy was the first American vessel ship to capture a Royal Navy vessel, the armed sloop Diana in June of 1775. The Diana was tender to HMS Rose which was cruising near Narragansett Bay. Abrahm Whipple was known for his role in the burning of HMS Gaspee in 17772. When he learned of the capture of the Diana by Captain Whipple, Captain Sir James Wallace of HMS Rose sent Whipple an angry message:
You, Abraham Whipple, on the 10th of June, 1772, burned His Majesty’s vessel, the Gaspee, and I will hang you at the yard-arm. –James Wallace
To which, Whipple replied: To Sir James Wallace, Sir: Always catch a man before you hang him. –Abraham Whipple
Whipple was never caught by Wallace and died on the Ohio frontier at the age of 86.
The Katy was taken into the fledgling Colonial Navy and renamed Providence. She was later commanded by John Paul Jones on several successful voyages. In August 1779, Providence was burned, along with other American vessels, to prevent her falling into the hands of the British towards the end of the disastrous Penobscot Expedition.
Thanks to Irwin Bryan for passing the news along.
Great news which adds to that of yesterday that SV Western Union is once sailing in Key West, FL. She also had a restoration and refurbishing. See Post in NAUTICAL LOG, and link to Schooner Western Union website.
Good Watch.
The linked WPRI News piece is a crack up. The majority of shots of the ship are not of the Providence but I believe of the Arabella, a three-masted schooner in Newport.
Enjoyed this post. The story of the Providence weaves together a lot of interesting threads. What a lot of work it must have been to restore.
As to the Penobscot Expedition – How about them Red Sox!
I agree. The video is pretty funny. I was wondering whether they were actually going to show any footage of the sloop. I am glad they threw in a few seconds anyway.
Ken, glad you enjoyed the post. The new owners of the sloop have an advantage over most owners of replica vessels. Don’t tell anyone but the Providence’s hull is fiberglass, so sitting on the hard for three years didn’t do much damage.
In ’91, or so I was tied up in Mystic Seaport for a week and the Sloop “Providence” was tied up at the head of Chu B’s Wharf. Her spars were down on deck. I can’t remember where she was going but things seemed to really be in flux. I was invited aboard for dinner one night. It was lovely. I’m very glad to hear she has a Boat Owner, owner. That she will have the care required for a vessel of her class will require. I hope to see her topmast clear a horizon one day and have a gam with her new Master.
I wish you all the best. Fair wind and soft anchorages. Rob
m/v “Patience” Capt. Robert Saul Isenberg
I have a reference to a ship Providence which left NYC for Boston at noon on Sept. 14, 1791, with 18 passengers in one group. It was captained by Patterson (no other name given). Have been unsuccessfully seeking info on this ship. Any help out ther????
Sad to hear of the recent storm damage. I hope she sails again. In the mean time I’m building a model of the vessel as she might have appeared under John Paul Jones command. I do need the plan that shows just what lines belay to just what belaying pins . Also any plan depicting the entire rig both standing rigging and running rigging.
Thanks.