USS New York ( 1800 ) USS " New York " was a three - masted , wooden - hulled sailing frigate in the United States Navy that saw service during the Quasi - War with France . " New York " was built by public subscription by the citizens of New York for the United States Government ; laid down in August 1798 by Peck and Carpenter , New York City ; launched 24 April 1800 ; and commissioned in October 1800 , Captain Richard Valentine Morris in command . The " New York " was one of the group of five frigate s built by the States for the Federal Government to supplement the original six provided for by the Naval Act of 1794 , ' The ship entered the Navy when the Quasi - War with France was being fought in the Atlantic and Caribbean oceans where French warships preyed on American shipping interests . Service history . Caribbean . The " New York " departed New York on 22 October 1800 , and sailed for the Caribbean , convoying the brig " Amazon " and her cargo to Martinique and then sailing to St . Kitts , arriving on 6 December to meet the frigate there and receive orders . Putting to sea the next day , " New York " cruised the waters near Guadaloupe on patrol protecting U . S . merchant ships until forced to return to St . Kitts on 31 December by a bad outbreak of fever among her crew . The frigate remained in the West Indies port , putting the forty sickest men ashore and recruiting others to replace them until sailing in mid - January 1801 to resume station on watchful patrol against those French ships , both naval vessels and privateers , which had been attacking Yankee merchant ships trading with the British West Indies . With the ratification of Pinckney ' s Treaty with France on 3 February , she was ordered to return home on 23 March and arrived at New York in late April , remaining there until sailing to Washington in mid - May . " New York " was placed in ordinary at Washington Navy Yard as part of the reserve naval force provided for in the Peace Establishment Act of 1801 . The frigate ' s day to day patrolling performed an invaluable service to the nation , not only protecting American commerce , but also helping to establish the United States Navy as a force to be reckoned with . As part of the infant Navy , " New York " had , as President John Adams told Congress of the Navy ’ s actions , " raised us in our own esteem ; and effected to the extent of our expectations , the objects for which it was created . " Barbary Coast . The frigate recommissioned on 14 August 1802 , Captain James Barron in command . The small Moorish kingdoms on the Barbary Coast of North Africa were attacking American ships , killing and imprisoning crewmen and stealing cargo , while demanding high monetary tribute as their price for ending these piratical acts . In response to this challenge , Thomas Jefferson sent a naval squadron to the Mediterranean in May 1801 to protect the nation ’ s interests , and on 14 November 1802 , " New York " sailed from Washington Navy Yard to reinforce that squadron and join in the blockade . The squadron sailed on 11 April for Tripoli to confront the Pasha with a strong show of American force . En route on 25 April , a powder explosion on board " New York " killed four men and damaged the ship , forcing the squadron to put into Malta from 1 – 19 May while she effected repairs . Arriving off Tripoli on the 22nd , the squadron remained there attempting negotiations with the Bashaw . Following two brief engagements , 22 and 27 May in which the American ships ’ overwhelming fire drove off attacking Tripolitan gunboats , the talks seemed to bear fruit . Midshipman John Downes was one of those recognized for distinguished service on " New York " during the fighting . On 9 June , a tentative treaty was agreed to on the condition that the U . S . ships would immediately leave the harbor . Commodore Morris , following these terms , sailed in " New York " the next day , leaving the rest of the squadron on guard off the coast to follow later , little realizing that the treacherous Bashaw would resume his piratical activities as soon as the American presence was gone . Toward home . Sailing to Malta 14 June , " New York " received the 17 - gun salute of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson and the British Fleet at Valletta . The frigate remained there replenishing and allowing her crew to see the sights of the island until sailing for Gibraltar on 8 July by way of Naples and Málaga and arriving on 14 September . There , she met Commodore Edward Preble and his squadron , sent to relieve Commodore Morris . On the day of her arrival , Captain John Rodgers came aboard to relieve Commodore Morris of command of " New York " and following one month in port , the warship sailed for home . Stopping at Tunis for supplies on 4 November , she returned to Washington Navy Yard on 9 December 1803 and was immediately placed in ordinary . There " New York " remained for the next eleven years . The frigate was burned by the British in the capture of Washington , D . C . on 24 August 1814 during the War of 1812 .