the continental ship "wasp" was originally a merchant schooner named "scorpion", built at baltimore, and purchased under authority from the second continental congress dated 2 december 1775 by col. benjamin harrison sometime between 2 and 18 december 1775, the first us naval ship to be given that name. she was outfitted in baltimore from december 1775 to early 1776; and commissioned in december 1775 or january 1776, capt. william hallock in command.