Capture of South Carolina
Captain Matthew Squire commissioned Astraea in July 1781. On 7 October she sailed for North America.
On 20 December 1782 the British 44-gun Fifth Rate two-decker Diomede, Captain Thomas L. Frederick and the sister frigates - Quebec, Captain Christopher Mason, and Astraea, captured the American frigate South Carolina in the Delaware River. The South Carolina was attempting to dash out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, through the British blockade. She was in the company of the brig Constance, schooner Seagrove and the ship Hope, which had joined her for protection.
The British chased South Carolina for 18 hours and fired on her for two hours before she struck. She had a crew of about 466 men when captured, of whom she lost six killed or wounded. The British suffered no casualties.
The Astraea and Quebec also captured Constance, which was carrying tobacco. Prize crews then took South Carolina and Constance to New York.
On 15 March 1783, Astraea, Vestal and Due de Chartres captured the ship Julius Cæsar. In January 1784 Astraea was paid off.
In September 1786, Astraea was commissioned under Captain Peter Rainier, Jr.. She proceeded to Ferrol, Madeira, and the West Indies, where she remained for three years. During this time she visited all the British islands and most of the French and Spanish colonies.
Read more about this topic: HMS Astraea (1781)
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