USS Portsmouth was constructed for the United States Navy in 1798 by master shipbuilder James Hackett to a design of Josiah Fox at what is now Badger's Island in Kittery, Maine, directly across the Piscataqua River from Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

[1] On 20 August 1799, a British invasion force under the command of Lieutenant-General Thomas Trigge and Vice Admiral the Right Honourable Lord Hugh Seymour arrived at the Dutch colony of Suriname.

During the 48 hours the Captain of French Navy corvette Hussar decided to surrender to her and USRC Scammel that were also at Paramaribo.

[6] In a letter dated 20 February to Josiah Parker, Chaiman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, Navy Secretary Stoddert recommended selling her.

[7] Portsmouth was sold at Baltimore, Maryland, for $34,365.82[8] in 1801, after the military cutbacks ordered by the new Jefferson Administration after the peace signed with France ending the Quasi-War in 1800.