In October 1775, Hancock (not the Lynch[1]), under the command of Nicholson Broughton, and her sister ship Franklin were ordered to intercept two British brigs as they arrived in the St. Lawrence River from England.

The story of their illegal actions reached General Washington; he had both Broughton and the captain of Franklin expelled from the navy and returned the captured ships and their cargoes with the proper apologies.

On 1 January 1776, Captain John Manley of the Continental Army was appointed Commodore of the Fleet and chose Hancock to serve as his flagship.

[2] On 30 January 1776, the 14-gun British brig HMS Hope, which had sailed from Boston for the express purpose of either capturing or sinking Hancock, intercepted her off Plymouth.

She was released back into her owner's custody early the following year; the ultimate fate of Hancock is unknown.