# List of shipwrecks in 1778

The List of shipwrecks in 1778 includes some ships sunk, wrecked or otherwise lost during 1778.
table of contents :
| ← 1777 1778 1779 → ||||
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr |
| May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
| Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Unknown date ||||
| References ||||

## January
### 1 January

List of shipwrecks: 1 January 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Nesbitt" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant brig was captured by HMS Perseus ( Royal Navy) 8 leagues west north west of Port Royal. Burned later that day. |
| Unknown | Great Britain | American Revolutionary War:The sloop was stripped and sunk by Patriots in the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Chester, Pennsylvania. |

### 3 January

List of shipwrecks: 3 January 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Alexandrine" | France | American Revolutionary War:The merchant brig ran aground in the Rappahannock River and was captured by HMS Richmond and HMS Emerald ( Royal Navy) off Cape Henry. Destroyed later that day. |
| "Betsy" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant schooner was captured by HMS Phoenix ( Royal Navy) off Cape Henry. Destroyed later that day. |

### 4 January

List of shipwrecks: 4 January 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Dragon" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant schooner ran aground and was captured by HMS Emerald ( Royal Navy) in the Rappahannock River. Refloated on the 5th. |
| "Elegante" | France | American Revolutionary War:The merchant snow ran aground and was captured by HMS Emerald ( Royal Navy) in the Rappahannock River. Refloated on the 6th. |

### 6 January

List of shipwrecks: 6 January 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Speedwell" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant sloop (30 GRT) was captured by HMS Galatea ( Royal Navy) off Charles Town, South Carolina, at (33°18′N 76°28′W﻿ / ﻿33.300°N 76.467°W﻿ / 33.300; -76.467). Prise was destroyed. |
| unknown | Great Britain | The large merchant schooner was driven aground at the "Pea Patch" in the Delaware River as a result of ice breaching the hull. |

### 10 January

List of shipwrecks: 10 January 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Friends" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant brig was captured by Royal Navy ships off Nantucket Shoals. She was stripped and burned. |
| "Polly" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant brig was captured by HMS Phoenix ( Royal Navy) off Cape Henry. She was stripped of her sails and destroyed. |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant schooner ran aground and was captured by HMS Ariadne ( Royal Navy) off Englishmans Head. |

### 11 January

List of shipwrecks: 11 January 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Britania" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant brigantine (40 GRT) was chased ashore by HMS Unicorn ( Royal Navy) under a fort on Point Judith, Rhode Island. |
| "Hawke" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant sloop (30 GRT) was chased ashore by HMS Unicorn ( Royal Navy) off Stoney Town, Connecticut. |
| "Industry" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant brigantine (30 GRT) was chased ashore by HMS Unicorn ( Royal Navy) under a fort on Point Judith, Rhode Island. |
| "Sally" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant sloop (20 GRT) was chased ashore by HMS Unicorn ( Royal Navy) under a fort on Point Judith, Rhode Island. |
| "Sally" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant schooner, probably Sally (20 GRT), was chased ashore by HMS Lark ( Royal Navy) in or near the Providence River and was burned. |

### 12 January

List of shipwrecks: 12 January 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant vessel, probably brig Ann, was chased ashore by HMS Lark, HMS Perseus and HMS Carysfort all ( Royal Navy) near Edesto Island. |

### 16 January

List of shipwrecks: 16 January 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Rachael" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant schooner (25 GRT) was captured by HMS Carysfort ( Royal Navy) off Charles Town, South Carolina, and was scuttled. |

### 17 January

List of shipwrecks: 17 January 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Friendship" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant sloop was captured by HMS Apollo ( Royal Navy) on the southern end of the Georges Bank and was burned. |
| "Sphynx" | United States | The merchant sloop went ashore on Brenton's Neck, near Newport, Rhode Island, and was captured by British infantry. |

### 22 January

List of shipwrecks: 22 January 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Linkhorn" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The merchant sloop was captured by HMS Apollo ( Royal Navy) off Cape Sable and was burned due to poor condition. |

### 28 January

List of shipwrecks: 28 January 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| unknown | unknown | American Revolutionary War:The schooner was chased ashore by HMS Solebay near Cape Henry, schooner destroyed later that day. |

### 29 January

List of shipwrecks: 29 January 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| unknown | unknown | American Revolutionary War:The unidentified schooner was captured off Charles Town by HMS Carysfort ( Royal Navy) and was destroyed. |
| Unknown and unknown | Great Britain | American Revolutionary War:The vessels, American vessels captured by privateer sloop Gayton (Jamaica), were captured during a Raid on Nassau, Bahamas by USS Providence ( United States Navy) and were burned. |

### 31 January

List of shipwrecks: 31 January 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War:The unidentified schooner was captured in Chesapeake Bay by two boats from HMS St. Albans ( Royal Navy) and was burned. |

### unknown January

List of shipwrecks: unknown January 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Active | Great Britain | The captured Massachusetts privateer brigantine was wrecked on the New Jersey coast on or before 12 January. Crew of 20 captured. |
| "Hope" | Great Britain | American Revolutionary War:The schooner was forced ashore by ice in the Delaware River near Chester, Pennsylvania, after 6 Jan. and before 29 Jan. and was captured. |
| "Industry" | Great Britain | American Revolutionary War:The schooner was forced ashore by ice in the Delaware River near Chester, Pennsylvania, after 6 Jan. and before 29 Jan. and was captured. |
| "John" | Royal Navy | American Revolutionary War:The transport brig was forced ashore by ice in the Delaware River near Chester, Pennsylvania, after 6 Jan. and before 29 Jan. and was captured. |
| "Lord Howe" | Royal Navy | American Revolutionary War:The transport brig was forced ashore by ice in the Delaware River near Chester, Pennsylvania, after 6 Jan. and before 29 Jan. and was captured. |
| "Rawleigh" | Great Britain | The armed brigantine foundered in a storm in the western Atlantic in January or February. Crew was rescued by HMS Experiment ( Royal Navy) as the ship sank. |
| Symmetry | Great Britain | The transport brig ran aground near Wilmington, Delaware, after 6 Jan. and before 29 Jan. and was captured. |

## February
### 2 February

List of shipwrecks: 2 February 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Hero" | Great Britain | American Revolutionary War: The ship (350 GRT 1766) blew up and sank near Antigua during a battle with an American schooner. Only the Mate and 10 crew survived. |

### 3 February

List of shipwrecks: 3 February 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Sea Flower" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The schooner was captured 21 Leagues off Nantucket by HMS Unicorn ( Royal Navy) and was burned. |

### 4 February

List of shipwrecks: 4 February 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War:The schooner was captured in the James River by boats from HMS St. Albans ( Royal Navy) and was burned. |

### 5 February

List of shipwrecks: 5 February 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War:The sloop ran aground off Cherry Point while being pursued by HMS Richmond and HMS Solebay both ( Royal Navy) and was burned. |

### 7 February

List of shipwrecks: 7 February 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Petit Camarade" | Kingdom of France | American Revolutionary War: The vessel had run aground, breaking her rudder and main mast, and was captured by HMS St Albans ( Royal Navy) and burned in Lynnhaven Bay. |
| Unknown | Unknown | American Revolutionary War: The sloop was captured by HMS Richmond ( Royal Navy) and burned off Cape Charles. |

### 11 February

List of shipwrecks: 11 February 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| HMS Liverpool | Royal Navy | The Coventry-class frigate was wrecked in Jamaica Bay, off Long Island, New York, United States. |

### 14 February

List of shipwrecks: 14 February 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Defiance | United States | American Revolutionary War:The sloop was captured off Hampton Creek, Virginia by boats from HMS St. Albans ( Royal Navy) and was burned. |
| Shore | United States | American Revolutionary War:The Virginia State Govt. owned trading sloop was captured off Hampton Creek, Virginia by boats from HMS St. Albans ( Royal Navy) and was burned. |

### 25 February

List of shipwrecks: 25 February 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | Great Britain | American Revolutionary War:The brig was burned at Long Island, NY by troops of the 6th Connecticut Regiment. |
| Unknown | Great Britain | American Revolutionary War:The schooner was burned at Long Island, NY by troops of the 6th Connecticut Regiment. |
| Unknown | Great Britain | American Revolutionary War:The armed sloop was burned at Long Island, NY by troops of the 6th Connecticut Regiment. |

### 28 February

List of shipwrecks: 11 February 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Hampden | United States | American Revolutionary War:The Massachusetts privateer brigantine (120 tons, 10 guns) ran aground on Martinico while under pursuit by HMS Seaford ( Royal Navy). She was captured, refloated, and sent to Dominica. |

### unknown February

List of shipwrecks: unknown February 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Rawleigh" | Kingdom of Great Britain | The armed brigantine foundered in a storm in the western Atlantic in January or February. Crew was rescued by HMS Experiment ( Royal Navy) as the ship sank. |

## March
### 7 March

List of shipwrecks: 7 March 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| USS Randolph | Continental Navy | The frigate was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean in an engagement with Ship-of-the-Line HMS Yarmouth ( Royal Navy) when her magazine exploded with the loss of 311 of her 315 crew. The 4 survivors were rescued off of wreckage by Yarmouth on 12 March. |

### 9 March

List of shipwrecks: 9 March 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Alert | British Army | American Revolutionary War:The armed schooner, belonging to the British Army Dept. of Engineers, was captured on 7 March by Continental & Pennsylvania State Navy vessels. She was run aground, set on fire and partially flooded in the Delaware River off New Castle, Delaware, to prevent being recaptured. Refloated by the British the next day. |
| "Kitty" | Great Britain | American Revolutionary War:The transport was burned in the Delaware River off New Castle, Delaware, after being captured by Continental & Pennsylvania State Navy vessels on the 7th. |
| "Mermaid" | Great Britain | American Revolutionary War:The transport was burned in the Delaware River off New Castle, Delaware, after being captured by Continental & Pennsylvania State Navy vessels on the 7th. |

### 12 March

List of shipwrecks: 12 March 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Tonnere | Kingdom of France | American Revolutionary War:The ship (350 tons) was destroyed by the British after running aground off Smith's Island. Prize credit to HMS Senegal ( Royal Navy). |

### 18 March

List of shipwrecks: 12 March 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War:The sloop was captured aground in Seaconnett Passage, Rhode Island by HMS Kingfisher ( Royal Navy). Unable to be refloated, she was burned. |

### 22 March

List of shipwrecks: 22 March 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Hammon" | United States | The privateer schooner ran aground near LaHave, Nova Scotia, when attacked by schooner/tender HMS Arbuthnot ( Royal Navy) and was captured, pulled off and taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia. 19 of 25 crew escaped from being captured. |
| Unknown | Royal Navy | A Tender of frigate HMS Roebuck ran ashore in the early hours, at Cape Henlopen and was burned to prevent capture in the morning, her 21 crew were captured. 8 carriage and 4 swivel guns were salvaged by the Americans. |
| Unknown | Royal Navy | American Revolutionary War:A Tender of HMS Enterprize ( Royal Navy), captured on 20 March by USS Revenge ( United States Navy), was burned off Spain. |

### 23 March

List of shipwrecks: 23 March 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Reed | Great Britain | The schooner ran ashore at Cape Henlopen and was wrecked, her crew surrendered. Her sails, rigging, part of her cargo (sugar), and 8 carriage and 4 swivel guns were salvaged by the Americans. |

### 24 March

List of shipwrecks: 24 March 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| unknown | United States | The galley was burned in the harbor at Stamford, Connecticut, by a British landing party. |

### 27 March

List of shipwrecks: 27 March 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| USS Columbus | Continental Navy | American Revolutionary War: The frigate ran aground at Point Judith, Rhode Island, whilst under pursuit and was abandoned. She was subsequently burnt by the British. |

### 28 March

List of shipwrecks: 28 March 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Heart of Oak" | United States | The sloop was wrecked and broke up at Figueroa, Portugal. part of her cargo was saved. |

### 29 March

List of shipwrecks: 29 March 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Active" | United Kingdom | The ship, a Letter of Marque, was lost near "The Start". Three crewmen drowned. |

### 30 March

List of shipwrecks: 30 March 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Brilliant | Great Britain | American Revolutionary War:The transport sloop was sunk when forced into marine Chevaux-de-Frise by another ship while going up the Delaware River just below Fort Mifflin, 6 miles south of Philadelphia. Her crew and all the Hessian Mercenaries on board were rescued. |

### 31 March

List of shipwrecks: 31 March 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| USS Virginia | Continental Navy | American Revolutionary War:The 32 gun frigate ran aground on Middle Ground, Chesapeake Bay and was captured. Refloated, repaired and put in service as HMS Virginia ( Royal Navy). |

### Unknown March

List of shipwrecks: Unknown March 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Dolphin | Royal Navy | The sloop, captured 218 miles off Sandy Hook by HMS Experiment ( Royal Navy), was wrecked on Long Island in a snowstorm between 1 and 7 March. Prize crew was saved. |
| Royal George | United Kingdom | The transport foundered near Sao Miguel Island, The Azores about the beginning of the month. crew rescued. |
| unknown | Royal Navy | A Tender of HMS Enterprize ( Royal Navy), captured on 20 March by USS Revenge ( United States Navy), was burned off Spain. |

## April
### 5 April

List of shipwrecks: 5 April 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| unknown | United States | American Revolution:The sloop was burned by a landing party on the Shark River. |

### 6 April

List of shipwrecks: 6 April 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| | United Kingdom | American Revolution:The stripped sloop was burned by boats from galley Spitfire ( Rhode Island Navy) at Bristol Ferry, Rhode Island. |

### 9 April

List of shipwrecks: 9 April 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Two Friends | Royal Navy | The French sloop, captured by frigate HMS Glasgow ( Royal Navy) on the 8th, sprang a leak just after Midnight and sank off Cuba. The Prize Crew was rescued. |

### 12 April

List of shipwrecks: 12 April 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| | United States | American Revolution:The schooner was captured on the 11th by frigate HMS Apollo ( Royal Navy). She was stripped and burned on the 12th 30 Leagues north east of Nantucket. |
| | United States | A Tender of frigate HMS Roebuck ran ashore in the early hours, at Cape Henlopen and was burned to prevent capture in the morning, her 21 crew were captured. 8 carriage and 4 swivel guns were salvaged by the Americans. |

### 13 April

List of shipwrecks: 13 April 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| | Kingdom of France | American Revolution:The French polacca ran aground on Willoby's Shoal while being pursued by frigate HMS St. Albans ( Royal Navy) and was captured, apparently pulled off. |

### 14 April

List of shipwrecks: 14 April 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Dolphin" | Kingdom of Great Britain | American Revolutionary War: The brigantine was captured by USS Ranger ( United States Navy) between the Scilly Isles and Cape Clear Island and was scuttled. |
| Unknown | Scotland | American Revolutionary War: The schooner was captured by USS Ranger ( United States Navy) and was scuttled. |

### 19 April

List of shipwrecks: 19 April 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| HMS Hinchenbrook | Royal Navy | American Revolution:Frederica naval action:The armed brig or brigantine ran aground in the Frederica River during a battle with Washington, Lee, and Bullock all ( Georgia State Navy) and was captured. |
| HMS Rebecca | Royal Navy | American Revolution:Frederica naval action:The armed sloop ran aground in the Frederica River during a battle with Washington, Lee, and Bullock all ( Georgia State Navy) and was captured. |
| Unknown | Royal Navy | American Revolution:Frederica naval action:The watering brig ran aground in the Frederica River during a battle with Washington, Lee, and Bullock all ( Georgia State Navy) and was captured. |
| Unknown | Scotland | American Revolutionary War: The coastal schooner was sunk by USS Ranger ( United States Navy) in the Mull of Galloway. |

### 20 April

List of shipwrecks: 20 April 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| unknown | Unknown | American Revolutionary War: The sloop was captured by USS Ranger ( United States Navy) and was scuttled. |

### 24 April

List of shipwrecks: 24 April 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Duc de Choiseul | Kingdom of France | American Revolution: The ship ran aground and was wrecked in Liverpool Bay, Nova Scotia, during a battle with frigate HMS Blonde ( Royal Navy). The wreck was stripped by the British. During the operation she rolled on her side killing 3 Royal Navy sailors. Probably broke up in the winter of 1778–1779. |
| USS Independence | Continental Navy | The sloop was wrecked in the Oracoke Inlet, North Carolina. Wreck extensivly salvaged including her guns, cargo and ship's bell. |

### 27 April

List of shipwrecks: 27 April 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Three unknown vessels | Flags unknown | American Revolution: Three ships were burned by a boarding party from USS Ranger at Whitehaven, England. |

### 30 April

List of shipwrecks: 30 April 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | Royal Navy | The tender was fired upon by USS Providence during Providence's escape from Providence, Rhode Island, and heavily damaged. She was sent to Newport, Rhode Island, where she sank at dock. |

### Unknown April

List of shipwrecks: Unknown April 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | Royal Navy | The captured American vessel was wrecked 7 miles from Wilmington, North Carolina, before 20 April. |

## May
### 1 May

List of shipwrecks: 1 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| unknown | unknown | The sloop stranded on Cape Henlopen. |

### 5 May

List of shipwrecks: 5 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| unknown | United States | The schooner was stranded on shore in Buzzard's Bay while being chased by a tender of HMS Unicorn and was burned by the British. |

### 6 May

List of shipwrecks: 6 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| unknown | United States | The ship was captured and was burned by the British near Falmouth, Massachusetts. |

### 8 May

List of shipwrecks: 8 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| USS Effingham | Continental Navy | American Revolutionary War: Delaware River Raid: The incomplete frigate, refloated, or partly above water, was burned by a British raiding party. She had been scuttled at White Hill near Bordentown, New Jersey, in 1777 to prevent capture by the British. |
| USS Washington | Continental Navy | American Revolutionary War: Delaware River Raid:The incomplete frigate, refloated, or partly above water, was burned by a British raiding party. She had been scuttled at White Hill near Bordentown, New Jersey, in 1777 to prevent capture by the British. |
| Sturdy Beggar | United States | American Revolutionary War: Delaware River Raid: The privateer was burned in Crosswicks Creek, New Jersey, by the British. |
| Unknown | Continental Navy | American Revolutionary War: Delaware River Raid: Two new large ships, one pierced for 18 guns, was burned at Bordentown, New Jersey, by the British. |
| Unknown | | American Revolutionary War: Delaware River Raid: The privateer sloop, 10 guns, was burned at Bordentown, New Jersey, by the British. |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: Delaware River Raid: The brig was burned at White Hill near Bordentown, New Jersey, by the British. |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: Delaware River Raid: The sloop was burned at White Hill near Bordentown, New Jersey, by the British. |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: Delaware River Raid:Ten ships (brigs, sloops and schooners) were burned at Bordentown, New Jersey, by the British. |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: Delaware River Raid:Eight ships (brigs, sloops and schooners) were burned in Crosswicks Creek, New Jersey, by the British. |

### 9 May

List of shipwrecks: 9 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Kitty" | United Kingdom | American Revolutionary War:The transport was captured in the Delaware River by Continental Navy armed boats and burned. |
| "Mermaid" | United Kingdom | American Revolution:The transport was captured in the Delaware River by Continental Navy armed boats and burned. |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: Delaware River Raid: Six ships, a new schooner, an old schooner, a new sloop, a large old sloop, and 2 new ships were burned in Biles Island Creek, New Jersey by the British. |
| Unknown | United States Continental Navy | American Revolutionary War: Delaware River Raid: An unknown number of Gallies were found by the British scuttled in Watson Creek in deep water. |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: Delaware River Raid: Two sloops, a ship, a brig, 4 new ships, one new brig and one old schooner were burned at Bristol, Pennsylvania. |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: Delaware River Raid: Two sloops were burned at Bristol Ferry, Pennsylvania. |

### 10 May

List of shipwrecks: 10 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War:The British burn several ships in the Delaware River(May be wrong date, may be about those burned on the 8-9th). |

### 11 May

List of shipwrecks: 11 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: The privateer sloop was driven ashore by British privateer "Tryon" ( United Kingdom) near Cape Hatteras. |

### 12 May

List of shipwrecks: 12 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Le Gaston | Kingdom of France | American Revolutionary War: The polaque was run aground, scuttled, and abandoned near Cape Hatteras during a pursuit by HMS Ariel ( Royal Navy). Ariel salvaged part of her cargo and burned the ship. |

### 13 May

List of shipwrecks: 13 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Trader's Increase | United States | American Revolutionary War: The schooner was run aground near Cape Hatteras during a pursuit by HMS Ariel ( Royal Navy). Ariel burned the ship on the 14th. |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: The schooner was run aground near Cape Hatteras during a pursuit by HMS Ariel ( Royal Navy). Ariel burned the ship. |

### 14 May

List of shipwrecks: 14 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Two Friends | United States | American Revolutionary War: The schooner was run aground near Cape Hatteras during a pursuit by HMS Ariel ( Royal Navy) and captured. The ship was refloated on the 15th. |

### 18 May

List of shipwrecks: 18 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| General Montgomery | United States | American Revolutionary War: The privateer sloop was run aground in the harbor at Owl's Head, Nova Scotia during a pursuit by HMS Cabot ( Royal Navy) and captured. The ship was refloated on the 19th. |

### 19 May

List of shipwrecks: 19 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| St. Jean | Kingdom of France | American Revolutionary War: The anchored snow was scuttled near Cape Hatteras 4 or 5 miles from Roanoke Inlet when approached by HMS Ariel ( Royal Navy). Ariel burned the ship. |

### 24 May

List of shipwrecks: 24 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Fly" | United States | American Revolutionary War: The schooner was captured off Cape Cod by HMS Raisonnable and HMS Diamond, both ( Royal Navy) and was burned. |

### 25 May

List of shipwrecks: 25 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: Mount Hope Bay raids: 125 batteaux were captured and burned by British troops. |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: Mount Hope Bay raids: An armed galley was captured and burned by British troops. |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: Mount Hope Bay raids: A sloop was captured and burned by British troops. |

### 26 May

List of shipwrecks: 26 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: The brig was captured and burned by HMS Cabot ( Royal Navy) in the Gut of Canso, Nova Scotia. |

### 29 May

List of shipwrecks: 29 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| USS Norfolk Revenge | United States Navy Virginia Navy | American Revolutionary War: The galley was sunk in the Nansemond River. |

### 30 May

List of shipwrecks: 30 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Angelica" | United States | American Revolutionary War: The brig, a privateer, was captured by frigate HMS Andromeda ( Royal Navy) and burned at sea. |

### 31 May

List of shipwrecks: 31 May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| HMS Pigot | Royal Navy | American Revolutionary War: Mount Hope Bay raids: The galley ran aground at Bristol Ferry, Rhode Island. She was kedged off some hours later despite being shelled by a battery nearby. |
| Unknown | unknown | American Revolutionary War: The sloop was run aground near Currituck, North Carolina, during a pursuit by HMS Ariel ( Royal Navy). Left on the beach unboarded because of bad weather. |
| Unknown | United Kingdom | American Revolution: The unmanned, stripped, demasted, and holed brig came ashore between two rocks at Abbotsham Cliffs near Biddeford, Devonshire, England, sometime in May. It is believed to have been captured by American privateers who intended to scuttle her. She was refloated and taken to Biddeford on the 21st. |

### Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: unknown date in May 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Elizabeth | United States | American Revolutionary War: The sloop was captured and destroyed by British privateer "Hammond" ( United Kingdom) prior to 25 May. |
| Esther | United States | American Revolutionary War: The schooner was captured and destroyed by British privateer "Hammond" ( United Kingdom) prior to 25 May. |
| Fish-Hawk | United States | American Revolutionary War: The schooner was captured and destroyed by British privateer "Hammond" ( United Kingdom) prior to 25 May. |
| Jenny | United States | American Revolutionary War: The brig was captured and burned at "Carolina" by British privateer "Hammond" ( United Kingdom) prior to 25 May. |
| Jenny | United States | American Revolutionary War: The sloop was captured and destroyed by British privateer "Hammond" ( United Kingdom) prior to 25 May. |
| Lilly | United States | American Revolutionary War: The sloop was captured and destroyed by British privateer "Hammond" ( United Kingdom) prior to 25 May. |
| Nancy | United States | American Revolutionary War: The schooner was captured and destroyed by British privateer "Hammond" ( United Kingdom) prior to 25 May. |
| Nelly | United States | American Revolutionary War: The sloop was captured and destroyed by British privateer "Hammond" ( United Kingdom) prior to 25 May. |
| Polly | United States | American Revolutionary War: The schooner was captured and destroyed by British privateer "Hammond" ( United Kingdom) prior to 25 May. |
| Robert | United States | American Revolutionary War: The sloop was captured and destroyed by British privateer "Hammond" ( United Kingdom) prior to 25 May. |
| Sally | United States | American Revolutionary War: The brig, a prize ship, was recaptured by a British privateer at Topsail Inlet before 15 May and burned when she couldn't be taken out. Her cargo of salt was salvaged by the Americans, but the ship was "ruined". |
| Spit-Fire | United States | American Revolutionary War: The boat was captured and destroyed by British privateer "Hammond" ( United Kingdom) prior to 25 May. |
| Success | United States | American Revolutionary War: The sloop was captured and destroyed by British privateer "Hammond" ( United Kingdom) prior to 25 May. |
| True Blue | United Kingdom | The slave ship was lost off Cameroon before 15 May. crew and 60 slaves were saved by "Ann" ( United Kingdom). |
| Unknown, Unknown | United Kingdom | Two coal ships out of a convoy of 5 burned and sank from spontaneous combustion before 15 May. |
| unknown | United Kingdom | The schooner was captured by privateers at LaHave, Nova Scotia, she was stripped and burned. Probably on the 27th, but possibly on the 20th. |
| Hawke | United Kingdom | The sloop was stranded on Cape Henlopen on 1 or 2 May. |
| unknown | unknown | The schooner was stranded on Cape Henlopen on or before 7–8 May. |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: Six ships were driven ashore by British privateer "George and Elizabeth" ( United Kingdom) during a cruise, apparently on various dates before 12 May. |

## June
### 13 June

List of shipwrecks: 13 June 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Fox" | United States | The privateer was driven ashore at Port Medway, Nova Scotia, trying to escape from the Sloops "General Gage", and "General Howe", and another Large Armed Sloop. captured and refloated. |

## July
### 6 July

List of shipwrecks: 6 July 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Albion | United Kingdom | American Revolutionary War: The ship sank after striking marine Cheval de frise in the Delaware River. |

### 8 July

List of shipwrecks: 8 July 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| HMS Mermaid | Royal Navy | The Mermaid-class frigate was driven ashore to prevent her being captured by French frigates. surrendered to a US vessel. |

### 31 July

List of shipwrecks: 31 July 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | United Kingdom | American Revolutionary War:The ship ran aground at Shrewsbury, New Jersey. Stripped by Militia despite shelling by a Royal Navy frigate. |

## August
### 1 August

List of shipwrecks: 1 August 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | United Kingdom | American Revolutionary War:The Row galley was run aground at Shrewsbury, New Jersey, by American vessels. |

### 5 August

List of shipwrecks: 5 August 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| HMS Cerberus | Royal Navy | American Revolutionary War: The 28 gun Coventry-class sixth rate frigate was run aground, set afire and was destroyed in Narragansett Bay to avoid capture by French ships of the line. |
| HMS Juno | Royal Navy | American Revolutionary War: The 32 gun Richmond-class frigate was run aground, set afire and was destroyed in Narragansett Bay to avoid capture by French ships of the line. |
| HMS Lark | Royal Navy | American Revolutionary War: The 32 gun Richmond-class frigate was run aground, set afire and was destroyed when her powder magazine exploded in Narragansett Bay to avoid capture by French ships of the line. |
| HMS Orpheus | Royal Navy | American Revolutionary War: The 32 gun Lowestoffe-class fifth-rate frigate was run aground, set afire and was destroyed in Narragansett Bay to avoid capture by French ships of the line. |

### 6 August

List of shipwrecks: 6 August 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Charlotte | United States | American Revolutionary War: The schooner ran aground in Bull Island Bay, South Carolina, whilst being chased by the privateer Revenge ( Great Britain). She was consequently captured by the British. |
| "Love and Unity" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The ship ran aground off Tom's River, New Jersey. |

### 20 August

List of shipwrecks: 20 August 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Glory of America" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The ship was sunk off Egg Harbor, New Jersey, by Tryon. |

### 21 August

List of shipwrecks: 21 August 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | Royal Navy (?) | American Revolutionary War:The cruizer went ashore at Cape May while trying to avoid capture by the French. |

### 24 August

List of shipwrecks: 24 August 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Colebrooke | British East India Company | The East Indiaman struck Anvil Rock, in Kogel Bay and was wrecked with the loss of seven of her crew. She was on a voyage from Madeira to Bombay, India. |

### Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date in August 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Lord Sandwich | Great Britain | American Revolutionary War: The prison ship, a barque, was scuttled at Newport, Rhode Island, United States between 3 and 6 August. |

## September
### 5 September

List of shipwrecks: 5 September 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Unknown | United Kingdom | American Revolutionary War:The ship was captured and destroyed. |

### 25 September

List of shipwrecks: 25 September 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| USS Raleigh | United States Navy | The Hancock-class frigate ran aground on Wooden Ball Island, Maine, whilst in an engagement with HMS Experiment and HMS Unicorn (both Royal Navy) and was abandoned. She was captured by the British, refloated on 28 September and taken into service as HMS Raleigh. |

## October
### 3 October

List of shipwrecks: 3 October 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| HMS Mary | Royal Navy | The 4-gun smack was lost in Plymouth Sound. |

### 6 October

List of shipwrecks: 6 October 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| HMS Greenwich | Royal Navy | American Revolutionary War: The Egg Harbor Expedition: The Swan-class ship sloop became grounded near Osborne Island, or on Mincock Island, near Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, United States. Refloated on the 8th, and regrounded, then refloated. |
| HMS Granby | Royal Navy | American Revolutionary War: The Egg Harbor Expedition: The armed sloop became grounded near Osborne Island, or on Mincock Island near Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, United States. Refloated on the 8th. |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolution: The Egg Harbor Expedition: Nine ships that had been captured by American privateers and scuttled/dismantled in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, United States to prevent recapture, were recaptured and burned. Some ships burned until Noon on the 7th. |
| Venus | United States | American Revolution: The Egg Harbor Expedition: The ship had been captured by American privateers and scuttled/dismantled in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, United States to prevent recapture, was recaptured and burned. |

### 9 October

List of shipwrecks: 9 October 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Mary | Great Britain | The ship was wrecked at Pensacola, Florida, British America. |
| Sarah and Elizabeth | Great Britain | The ship was wrecked at Pensacola. |

### 22 October

List of shipwrecks: 22 October 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| HMS Zebra | Royal Navy | American Revolutionary War: The Egg Harbor Expedition: The Swan-class ship sloop ran aground in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, United States. She was blown up to avoid her being captured. |

### Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date in October 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Dispatch | Great Britain | The ship departed from Newfoundland, British America. No further trace, presumed foundered with the loss of all hands. |
| Solovey | Imperial Russian Navy | The ship was wrecked by ice at the mouth of the Volga between 15 and 20 October. Her crew were rescued. |

## November
### 2 November

List of shipwrecks: 2 November 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| HMS Somerset | Royal Navy | The 64-gun third rate ship of the line was wrecked on Peaked Hill Bar, a sandbar off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States with the loss of between 21 and 70 of her crew, according to different sources. Her wreckage was buried on the beach at Dead Man's Hollow, near Provincetown, Massachusetts. |

### 22 November

List of shipwrecks: 22 November 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| "Rattlesnake" | United States | American Revolutionary War:The 18 gun Privateer ran aground and was wrecked on Middle Ground, Chesapeake Bay while being pursued by HMS Swift ( Royal Navy). |
| HMS Swift | Royal Navy | American Revolutionary War:The 14 gun sloop ran aground on Middle Ground, Chesapeake Bay while pursuing Privateer "Rattlesnake" ( United States). Burned to prevent captrure. |

## December
### 1 December

List of shipwrecks: 1 December 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Martha | Great Britain | The ship was driven ashore and wrecked 15 leagues (45 nautical miles (83 km) north of Egg Harbor, New Jersey, United States. She was on a voyage from Halifax, Nova Scotia, British America to New York, United States |

### 9 December

List of shipwrecks: 19December 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| unknown | Great Britain | American Revolutionary War:The armed vessel ran aground near Barnegat, New Jersey. Crew captured by Militia. |

### 26 December

List of shipwrecks: 26 December 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| General Arnold | United States | The privateer, a brig, was wrecked at Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts, with the loss of 70 of her 105 crew. |

### 28 December

List of shipwrecks: 28 December 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| London | British East India Company | The East Indiaman was run down and sunk off Berry Head, Devon by HMS Russell ( Royal Navy). |

### 29 December

List of shipwrecks: 29 December 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| HMS Cupid | Royal Navy | The Sloop-of-War foundered in the Grand Banks of Newfoundland with the loss of nine of her crew. |

### 31 December

List of shipwrecks: 31 December 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Betsey | Great Britain | The transport ship foundered in the Nore. |
| Marianna Charlotta | Kingdom of Sicily | The ship was driven ashore and wrecked on the Mull of Galloway, Great Britain. She was on a voyage from the Isle of Man to Naples. |
| Ruby | Great Britain | The ship was wrecked at Jersey, Channel Islands. |

### Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date in December 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Fame | Great Britain | The ship was wrecked on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, British America. |
| Jenny | Great Britain | The ship was driven ashore and wrecked on Staten Island, New York, United States. She was on a voyage from New York City to London. |
| Lady Catharina | Ireland | The ship was lost near Holyhead, Anglesey, Great Britain with the loss of all but one of her crew. She was on a voyage from Dublin to the West Indies. |
| Mary | Great Britain | American Revolutionary War: The ship was lost off Cape Florida, British America whilst evading two American privateers. |
| Nouvelle Abondance | France | The ship, a prize, foundered in the English Channel off Calais. Her crew were rescued. |
| Rose | United States | The ship was driven ashore and wrecked on Staten Island in late December. |

## Unknown date

List of shipwrecks: Unknown date in 1778 :
| Ship | State | Description |
| Harland | India | The schooner was wrecked. |
| "Le Tonnerre" | Kingdom of France | American Revolutionary War: The vessel was captured by HMS Senegal ( Royal Navy) and destroyed between December, 1777 and March, 1778. |
| Minerva | United States | The ship was lost near "Westerley". She was on a voyage from Rhode Island to New York. |
| Neptune | Dutch Republic | The ship was lost at Tortola. |
| Rockingham | Great Britain | The transport ship was lost. |
| Unknown | United States | American Revolutionary War: The privateer was sunk with all hands by "Sally" ( United Kingdom) sometime before 4 May. |