HMCS Columbia (I49)

Jonathan Haraden was born in Gouchester, Mass., 11 November 1744, and joined the Massachusetts State Navy in July 1776 as First Lieutenant of the sloop Tyrannicide. Sailing with her for 2 years, he captured many prizes, and rose to command her in 1777. In 1778, Haraden left the state navy for a career as a privateersman, commanding General Pickering. He simultaneously engaged three British privateers off New Jersey in October 1779, and captured a 22-gun sloop in the Bay of Biscay. When British privateer Achilles, of three times his force, attempted to recapture his prize a few days later, Haraden fought a fierce action at close quarters for 3 hours, forcing the larger ship to sheer off. Captured briefly by Admiral Rodney in the West Indies in 1781, Haraden escaped and sailed privateer Julius Caesar in 1782. In June of that year fought off two British vessels of equal force at the same time. His health declined steadily after the close of the War for Independence, and he died at Salem, Mass., 23 November 1803.

The first Haraden was launched by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Newport News, Va., 4 July 1918; sponsored by Miss Mabel B. Stephens, great-niece of Captain Jonathan Haraden; and commissioned at Norfolk Navy Yard 7 June 1919, to Lt Comdr. R. H. Booth in command.

Haraden was assigned to U.S. Naval Forces in European Waters; after calling at Newport for supplies she departed New York 30 June 1919 for duty in the Adriatic Sea. She arrived Spalato, Dalmatia, 28 July 1919 and conducted operations from that port assisting the naval force in the execution of the terms of the Austrian armistice, serving as station ship at Trieste and Flume, and participating in maneuvers. This duty occupied her until 23 October 1919, when she departed for Norfolk, Va., arriving 18 November.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Haraden I (Destroyer No. 183)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.