The USS Concord was a wooden-hulled, three-masted sloop-of-war of the United States Navy, launched on September 24, 1828, at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. Displacing approximately 700 tons, the vessel was relatively small compared to contemporary ships of the line, measuring about 127 feet in length with a draft of 16 feet. Designed as a sloop of war, Concord featured a full after-body that contributed to its slow speed and a full rigging typical of the period, intended for versatility in various naval missions. Commissioned on May 7, 1830, with a crew of 190 officers and sailors, Concord was notable for being the first U.S. Navy vessel to be christened by a woman—an event that marked a historic first. Under the command of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, Concord served in the Mediterranean from 1830 to 1832, notably transporting U.S. envoy John Randolph to St. Petersburg in 1832. The vessel's armament consisted of 20 guns, although the Navy’s insistence on equipping her with 24 guns was a point of contention, reflecting her limited size. Concord’s service extended beyond diplomacy to active military engagements and surveying missions. During the Second Seminole War, beginning in 1835, she operated along the Florida coast, assisting in reconnaissance and supporting ground troops. Her crew participated in combat efforts, including repelling Seminole attacks on Fort Foster in Tampa. The vessel also served in the West Indies (1836–1837, 1838), the Brazil station (1842), and off the coast of Madagascar and Mozambique, where she was involved in protecting American shipping interests and whaling fleets. Her career ended tragically on November 2, 1842, when Concord ran aground on a sandbar at the mouth of the Ligonha River in Mozambique under Commander William Boerum. Despite efforts to refloat her, three crew members, including her captain, perished in the attempt. The ship was abandoned, and her crew was evacuated by the Portuguese brig Unao. Throughout her service, Concord exemplified the U.S. Navy’s global presence and versatility during the early 19th century, participating in diplomacy, warfare, and protection of commerce across multiple theaters.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.