Ships
During the course of his career, Dale served on many different ships under a variety of national flags and in various capacities. His final mission, in the capacity of Commodore of the United States Navy, found him serving at the head of a small fleet of ships. Many of the ships upon which Dale served are as follows:
Unidentified vessel commanded by an uncle – 1768. During his preliminary career on merchant vessels, Dale began as an apprentice and rose to the rank of chief mate, working largely in the West Indies trade.
Unidentified light cruiser in the service of Virginia – 1776 (captured by the British)
Lady Susan - 1776. A British vessel on which he served during the Revolution
Lexington – 1776, 1777. Served as a Midshipman under John Barry, Master’s Mate under William Hallock, 1776, again after capture and release in 1777, under a new captain, Henry Johnston
Le Bon Homme Richard – 1779. Served as First Lieutenant under John Paul Jones in this French privateer
Alliance – 1779. First Lieutenant under Jones
Ariel – 1780–1781. First Lieutenant under Jones
Trumbull – July to November, 1781. First Lieutenant under Captain Nicholson
Queen of France – Late 1781 or early 1782 – February, 1783. Served as First Lieutenant initially, then as Captain in this privateer endorsed by the Continental Congress. Final vessel served on during the conflict with England. After this, he was discharged from the Continental Navy
Chesapeake – 1784. As Captain in the United States Navy, he was responsible for the ship's construction, although he did not sail in it.
Canton – 1785–1787. The first merchant vessel out of the United States used for the China trade
Alliance – 1787–1788. Modified since the war to become a merchant vessel, again for the China trade
Pigou – 1796. As Captain, a merchant vessel used for the East India trade
Ganges – pre-1798 - 1798 - Dale commanded first as a modified merchant vessel, and again once she was converted into a war ship. Sailed in the latter capacity during the quasi-war with France.
1801 - 1802 - Commanded a squadron including the President, (flagship), the Philadelphia, the Essex, and the Enterprise within the Mediterranean Sea, protecting American merchant vessels against Tripolitan and other Barbary privateers.
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Famous quotes containing the word ships:
“Haven’t you heard, though,
About the ships where war has found them out
At sea, about the towns where war has come
Through opening clouds at night with droning speed
Further o’erhead than all but stars and angels
And children in the ships and in the towns?”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“And when we can with Meeter safe,
We’ll call him so, if not plain Ralph,
For Rhime the Rudder is of Verses,
With which like Ships they steer their courses.”
—Samuel Butler (1612–1680)
“The northern sky rose high and black
Over the proud unfruitful sea,
East and west the ships came back
Happily or unhappily....”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)