Raritan I

Raritan I

(Fr: t. 1,726; Ibp. 174'10"; b. 45'; dr. 22'8"; dph. 14'4"; a. 44 guns)

The first Raritan, a frigate built at the Philadelphia T\'avy Yard, was laid down in 1820 and launched 13 June 1843 sponsored by Comdr. Frederick Engle.

On 20 February 1844 the frigate, commanded by Capt. Franeis H. Gregory, cleared New York Harbor and sailed for the South At]antie where she served as Commodore Daniel Turner's flagship until she returned to the United States in November 1845.

Based at Pensaeola, Raritan then operated with the Home Squadron as it blockaded the east coast of Mexico and supported Armv forces during the war with Mexico. As Commodore David Connor's flagship, she joined Potomac in landmg 500 men at Point Isabel to reinforce that military depot in May 1846. During 1847, she participated in the landings at Vera Cruz in March; at Tuxpan in April; and at Tabaseo in June.

Raritan then retired to Norfolk where she was laid up in ordinary during 1848. Aetive again in 1849, she served as flagship of the West Indies Squadron, then as flagship for the Home Squadron, and in 1850 was transferred to the Pacific to cruise between Panama and Cape Horn and as far west as the International Date Line. Arriving at Valparaiso in June 1851, she operated out of that port until October 1852 when she got underway to return to the United States. On her arrival home, she was ngain laid up, in ordinary, at Norfolk. Raritan remained there until destroyed, 20 April 1861, by Union forces as they evacuated the navy yard.