A beautiful huntress in Greek mythology who could outrun and
outwrestle all men. During the Calydonian boar hunt, Atalanta
first wounded a dreaded boar and, for her part in the beast's
slaughter, received its head and skin as a prize. Since a
soothsayer had warned her against marriage, she lived alone in
the forest, avoiding her suitors by announcing that she
would,only wed the man who could best her in a footrace. This
stratagem kept her single until Hippomenes tricked her into
losing by dropping three golden apples in her path during his
dash for her hand. While she stopped to pick up the fruit, he
crossed the finish line ahead of the fleet huntress. However, in
his happiness over the victory, the youth failed to thank
Aphrodite who punished the couple by changing them into lions.
The Continental frigate Alliance—commanded by Capt. John
Barry—captured sloops of war Atalanta and Trepassey after a long
and bloody battle on 27 May 1781. After repairs, Atalanta sailed
for Boston under a prize crew but was captu