From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships

Effingham

The British Earl of Effingham whose principles led him to resign his commission rather than fight the American colonists. The Continental frigate honored the Earl.

Effingham, a Continental frigate, was building at Philadelphia in 1776 and 1777, and Captain John Barry was ordered to command her. When the British took possession of Philadelphia in September 1777, Barry was ordered to take the uncompleted ship up the Delaware River to a place of safety. On 25 October General George Washington asked for the crew of Effingham for use in the fleet, and 2 days later the ship was ordered sunk or burned. Effingham was sunk 2 November just below Bordentown, N.J., to deny her use to the British. She was burned to the water's edge by the British on their way north from Philadelphia on 9 May 1778.

Transcribed by Yves HUBERT (hubertypc@aol.fr)