The USS Hancock was a 6-gun schooner serving in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. Originally named Speedwell, she was owned by merchant Thomas Grant of Marblehead, Massachusetts. In October 1775, Grant offered the vessel to the Continental Congress to support the burgeoning naval efforts against Britain, making her part of what became known as "George Washington's Navy." Constructed as a schooner, Hancock was armed with six guns, though specific dimensions and tonnage are not detailed in the provided source. She was quickly pressed into active service, initially under the command of Nicholson Broughton. Her early missions included intercepting British supply ships in the St. Lawrence River, though her crew sought easier targets off Cape Canso, where they captured five prizes of questionable legality and conducted unauthorized raids on Charlottetown, actions which led to her captain and Broughton being expelled from the navy by order of General Washington. In January 1776, Hancock was chosen as the flagship for Commodore John Manley's fleet. Under his command, she achieved notable success, capturing two enemy transports on January 25, 1776, after engaging an eight-gun British schooner. During this operation, Hancock's prize crews successfully navigated their captures to Plymouth Harbor. Her resilience was demonstrated on January 30, 1776, when she was chased by the British 14-gun brig HMS Hope. Manley ran Hancock ashore to avoid capture, with the British vessel unable to pursue due to her deeper draft. Hancock was later refloated and continued her service, capturing additional prizes through April 1776. Captain Samuel Tucker took over command in April 1776, and Hancock continued her patrols until she was declared unfit for service late in 1776. She was returned to her owner in early 1777, and her ultimate fate remains unknown. Despite her relatively short service, Hancock played a significant role in the early naval skirmishes of the American Revolution, symbolizing the nascent efforts of the Continental Navy to challenge British maritime power.

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