The WASP Ship Model, donated 1/30/2023

The WASP on the ways in the Washington Navy Yard in the spring of 1806.  The ship, almost completed, was waiting for her 22 sets of gun ports (upper and lower), which were being fabricated in the adjacent woodshed.  Her dimensions were: 105’7” on deck, 30’ 11” beam and 14’2” depth of hold.

The WASP was launched on April 21, 10806 and commissioned in the spring of 1807.  She was considered a fast vessel throughout her career in the Unites States Navy, and was designed by Josiah Fox, who had been one of the principal designers of the three large frigates, the CONSTITUTION, the UNITED STATES, and the PRESIDENT, all launched in the fall of 1797.