http://www.ussconstitution.com/
http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/hmsvictory/
The following tale is from the history of the oldest commissioned warship in the world, the USS Constitution. It comes by way of the National Park Service, as printed in "Oceanographic Ships, Fore and Aft", a periodical from the oceanographer of the US Navy.
On 23 August 1779, the USS Constitution set sail from Boston, loaded with 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of water, 74,000 cannon shot, etc.
RM I challenge the above statement, 1779? I think not. Oldest commissioned warship in the world, I think not.
Click on the links above and see that the Constitution was launched in 1797.
Over here, the UK, HMS Victory is still in commission, finest moment, defeating the French/Spanish fleet at Trafalger 1805. Victory was launched in 1765 a good few years before Constitution. The story related is certainly entertaining, and a fine work of fiction. Worthy of Robert Louis Stevenson. It also sounds like it could be The Irish Rover.