The USS Andrew Doria was a 14-gun brig of the Continental Navy, originally purchased as a merchant vessel named Defiance in November 1775 by the Continental Congress. The ship was converted into a warship at Philadelphia’s Wharton and Humphreys shipyard, with modifications carried out by Joshua Humphreys (hull strengthening), John Barry (re-rigging), and John Falconer (armament and provisioning), at a cost of approximately £296.4s.6d. The vessel was named after the 16th-century Genoese admiral Andrea Doria. Under the command of Captain Nicholas Biddle, Andrew Doria departed Philadelphia in early January 1776 to join Esek Hopkins’ small fleet. She participated prominently in the expedition to Nassau, Bahamas, in March 1776, where she played a key role in the first amphibious operation conducted by the Continental Navy and Marines. During this campaign, her crew was protected from smallpox through inoculation, leading to her being designated as a hospital ship for the fleet. The expedition resulted in the capture of Nassau and the surrender of Fort Nassau and Fort Montagu. Andrew Doria also distinguished herself in combat on April 6, 1776, when she engaged the British frigate Glasgow off Rhode Island. Despite her smaller size and being part of a squadron that was outmatched, she maintained a running fight with Glasgow’s bow chasers, showcasing her fighting spirit before the British ship withdrew. From July to September 1776, Andrew Doria patrolled the Atlantic coast, capturing several British and Loyalist vessels. Under new command by Captain Isaiah Robinson, she voyaged to Sint Eustatius in November 1776, where she became the first American vessel to receive a salute from a foreign port—an act that symbolized American recognition and was later celebrated in history. Her service continued along the coast and in naval engagements until her capture in 1777 off Chincoteague by HMS Perseus. Throughout her career, Andrew Doria was notable for her participation in key early naval operations, her diplomatic significance in receiving the first salute to an American flag abroad, and her role in the formative years of the Continental Navy.

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