AH-WR-1483

Tyrannicide

Brigantine · United States · Lost 1779 · Penobscot Bay & Midcoast Maine

A Massachusetts State Navy brigantine destroyed by her crew in the Penobscot River in 1779.

Artistic recreation based on recorded historical documents. See the documented evidence.

Interpretive Reconstruction, drawn to convey the vessel's era, type and general form. See the documented evidence.

The Vessel and Her Loss

Tyrannicide was a brigantine built for the Massachusetts State Navy early in the Revolution and took several British prizes. In 1779 she sailed with the Penobscot Expedition to drive the British from Castine. When a Royal Navy squadron arrived in August, the American fleet fled up the Penobscot River, and Tyrannicide was destroyed by her crew with most of the other ships.

Vessel

Built: 1776
Builder: Not established
Yard: Not established
Material: Wood
Length: Not established
Beam: Not established
Tonnage: Not established
Propulsion: Sail, brigantine rig
Owners: Massachusetts State Navy

Loss

Date: August 14, 1779
Cause: Intentional sinking
Location: Penobscot River, Maine
Water: Penobscot River
Voyage: Not established
Cargo: Not established
Aboard: Not established
Lives lost: Not established
Master: Not established

The Wreck Today

Depth: Not established
Condition: Not established
Orientation: Not established
Discovered: Not established
Protection: Not established

Position

Coordinates: 44.70° N 68.83° W
Accuracy: General area only
Nearest: Penobscot River, Maine
Region: Penobscot Bay & Midcoast Maine

Pin marks the named place of loss, not a surveyed wreck position.

Evidence

Overall confidence: Partially documented (65/100)

Exact wreck position, depth and present condition are not established in the sources reviewed.

Naval History and Heritage Command, Naval Documents of the American Revolution
Penobscot Expedition and loss.
Maine Historic Preservation Commission
Penobscot River expedition wreck context.