The 24-gun ship Alfred, built in Philadelphia in 1774, was purchased by the Continental Navy in November 1775 and named for the Saxon king who is considered the founder of the English Navy. Alfred served as Commodore Hopkins' flagship for the expedition to the Bahamas. At the end of 1776, Alfred, now under command of John Paul Jones, made a cruise to the fishing grounds off Nova Scotia and in company with Providence captured nine prizes. En route from France after her third cruise, she was captured by two British warships, thus ending her distinguished career.