The Ranger
When the Revolutionary War commenced, the Continental Congress authorized the building of the Ranger.
The sloop-of-war Ranger became famous primarily because of its Captain, John Paul Jones, and his achievement in obtaining a salute from an Admiral of the French Fleet at Quiberon Bay. Captain Jones wrote a letter to the Naval Committee of the Continental Congress saying, "I am happy to have it in my power to congratulate you on my having seen the American Flag, for the first time, recognized in the fullest and completest manner by the flag of France."
The Ranger was built on Langdon's Island in 114 days. It was a 308-ton ship and was launched in May 1777. On a fair day with a good wind, she was about the fastest sailing ship for that period. On November 1, 1777, with a Piscataqua crew of 145 men, Captain Jones took the Ranger to sea, carrying news of the recent surrender of General Burgoyne to France.
A Colonial Tale of the Ranger
ALL Daughters interested in the True HISTORY of the Gallant RANGER may herein Read of Her. Our Glorious CONGRESS on June 14, 1777, "Resolved that Captain JOHN PAUL JONES be appointed to command said ship Ranger. . ." Now, you must know COLONEL JOHN LANGDON, merchant of Portsmouth, in the STATE of New Hampshire was underwriter of this Sloop of War. The RANGER and her Sister Ship, the Frigate RALEIGH, are built at COLONEL'S Boatyard on Rising Castle in Kittery, in the District of Maine.
Our Noble Captain JOHN PAUL JONES, having come amongst us, here in Portsmouth, in July, remained whilst he Saw his Ship fitted out as necessary for a Fighting SHIP. Know Ye, until Her Christening, the RANGER was called HAMPSHIRE for the Great State in which we Dwell, and that She is called in memory of a band of FIGHTING MEN mostly from this town, who in the Late Wars with the French and the Indians were called ROGER'S RANGERS.
For those who Question, Our Captain flew the new Flag on RANGER. Did not, on the Same Day as his Appointment, the Congress also Say the Flag for Our United STATES was Thirteen Stripes and Thirteen Stars on a blue Field for a "new constellation?" Did not Our Honorable Ambassadors to France in 1778 write, "that the flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen stripes, alternating red, white and blue . . .?" DAUGHTERS, there are Fair Drawings shown of the ""Noord Americaansche Flag," with its Thirteen Stars, eight pointed and its Thirteen Stripes, red, white and blue that were made from Life at Texel in the DUTCH Republic.
This Flag belonged on the RANGER, IT WAS MADE FOR Her by the Fair Ladies of Our Town. Whilst Strange Rumors may say these Ladies did cut apart Their Own Silken Gowns for the Making of the Flag, 'tis Certain how They have Sewn. Our Fighting RANGER, racing through the Seas, with Sails Fair Set and the Winds Blowing, needs have a Sturdy Flag. The Stars were Quilted to the Blue Union and the Stripes, Red, White and blue FELTED together.
Now, DAUGHTERS, RANGER CHAPTER proudly Shares the Colors of Our Flag with you.
Written by Ranger Chapter Daughter, Judith Kimball
