Portsmouth: Preparing To Launch John Paul Jones’ Sloop of “War Ranger”, May 1777

Many factors need to come together in just the right manner to make a painting that will really please. An inspiring idea, aspects of a location that complement a main subject, interest in the foreground, middle distance, and far distance and a focal feature that attracts interest. In this painting of “Ranger” on the ways, opposite Portsmouth, New Hampshire, all these elements seemed to rush into place.

As in the case of all present day cities at the country’s shoreline, Portsmouth was ideally located at the mouth of the Piscataqua River in order to serve as a hub for the vital waterborne transportation of the sailing era. It was during the Revolutionary War that the “Ranger,” one of three 18 gun Sloops of War to be authorized in 1776, was built across the river at Langdon Shipyard on Langdon’s Island (now Badger’s Island) by shipwright James K. Hackett.

Work having begun on January 11th, 1777, the “Ranger” was launched May 10th in the record time of four months. For fitting out, the “Ranger” was moved across the harbor to Rindge’s Wharf on Market Street. Official command was given to John Paul Jones June 14th, 1777. While in Portsmouth to supervise the completion of his new command, Jones secured lodging at the home of the widow Sarah Purcell, which has since become the home of the Portsmouth Historical Society a memorial museum to John Paul Jones.

In this view,’some days before her launch, the vessel appears on the ways as the building ramp and scaffolding are dismantled prior to the construction of a ceremonial platform. To proclaim the great occasion of an imminent launch for the surrounding populace, it was customary at the time to hoist banners from flagpoles secured in the mast holes. For this occasion “Ranger” is seen here proudly flying contemporary flags of the revolution.

Eventually, when provisioning the vessel and recruitment of officers and men was completed, the “Ranger” departed Portsmouth Harbor November 1st, 1777, sailing for France, then England, and into history.

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