David Ross was an officer in the Continental Navy. A lieutenant in the Continental Navy, Ross commanded the American private armed ship Belvedere (14 guns) at the end of the 18th century. While en route to London, on 23 December 1799, his ship was caught in a hurricane. Provisions, seven guns, and a quantity of shot were thrown overboard to lighten ship. Nineteen days later, on 12 January 1800, she was overtaken by a French brig, whose captain demanded that the American haul down her flag. Ross's answer was a broadside. A two-hour engagement, within pistol shot, followed; and after the Frenchman had sheered off, Belvedere, with damage to her rigging, sails, and hull, continued on. USS Ross (DD-563) was named for him. This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
