Trumbull III SlpW

Trumbull III
(SlpW.: t. 400; a. 18 12-pdrs.; cpl. 220)

The third Trumbull-an 18-gun sloop-of-war whose construction was financed by public subscription of the citizens of Norwich, Conn.—was apparently begun in mid-1799, under the direction of Naval Agent Joseph Howland. Commanded by Master Commandant David Jewett, Trumbull was apparently completed early the following year and, after fitting out, departed New London, Conn., in late March 1800. She joined Charlotte at New York and escorted the heavily-laden provision ship to the West Indies where she replenished the American squadron operating against the French in that vicinity.

Soon after her arrival in April, Trumbull began patrolling on station, ever alert for French merchantmen and warships as she protected American merchantmen in the area. She captured the armed French schooner Peggie in early May. On 3 August, Trumbull took the 10-gun French schooner Vengeance. Among the 130 people on board the prize were women and children and several officers of one of the rival factions in the civil war then raging on the island Hispanola. The following day, the sloop captured another French vessel; one which is variously recorded as Tulips Tulips, or Cullie.

Ordered home with Vengeance as a prize, Trumbull arrived at New London late in the summer. After quick repairs there, Trumbull returned to her patrol station off Santo Domingo in October 1800, transporting Navy Agent Thomas T. Gantt to St. Kitts to relieve Thomas Clarkson.

Trumbull subsequently cruised off Puerto Bico for a time before she returned north in the spring of 1801. Arriving at New York, Trumbull was sold later that year; and her crew was discharged.