USS Harrison (1761) was a schooner

Schooner

A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....

 chartered and outfitted by General George Washington

George Washington

George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...

 during the American Revolution

American Revolution

The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...

. She was assigned to capture British supply ships as part of Washington’s plans for the siege of Boston, Massachusetts, and to provide the Continental Army

Continental Army

The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...

 with whatever goods they carried.

Chartered in 1775

Harrison, a former fishing schooner built in 1761, and named the Triton was chartered 22 October 1775 as part of the small fleet outfitted by General George Washington to capture much needed supplies and to aid him in the siege of Boston.

Capturing British supply ships

Under Captain William Colt the ship set sail from Plymouth, Massachusetts, where she had been obtained, on October 26. Although Harrison was not sturdy or particularly seaworthy. Captain Colt succeeded in capturing two British provision ships 5 November.

Continuing her cruise against British shipping, the ship departed again 13 November 1775 and after 'being chased by frigate HMS Tartar on the 23d, brought two more prizes into port 1 December.

Decommissioning

Harrison remained at Plymouth, was frozen in by ice for a time in January, and, after making two short unproductive cruises, decommissioned.