USS Wickes (DD-578)

Lambert Wickes, born sometime in 1735 in New England, was appointed to the Continental Navy on 22 December 1775 and probably received his commission as a captain in the Navy in early 1776. Designated as number 11 on the Continental Navy's seniority list, Wickes was given command of the 16-gun brig Reprisal.

The Committee of Secret Correspondence of Congress, by arrangement with the Marine Committee, issued orders for Capt. Wickes to proceed to the West Indies in Reprisal and bring out munitions for use by General Washington's army. In addition, Wickes was to transport William Bingham to his post, the French possession of Martinique, as agent for the American colonies.

Reprisal passed down the Delaware River from Philadelphia during the latter part of June 1776. While en route, Reprisal went to the aid of the harried Continental 6-gun brig Nancy, bound from St. Croix and St. Thomas with 386 barrels of gunpowder, which was being chased by six British men-of-war. In order to save Nancy, her captain ran her aground. Reprisal and Lexington, the latter under the command of Capt. John Barry, kept boats from HMS King fisher at bay and succeeded in landing some 200 barrels of the precious powder. In this engagement, Wickes' brother Richard was killed while serving as third lieutenant in Reprisal.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Wickes II (DD-578)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.