Naval History and Heritage Command

James Ross, born on 12 July 1762 near Delta, Peach Bottom Township, York County, Pa., was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1784 and served as a delegate to the state constitutional convention in 1789 and 1790. He served as a commissioner to negotiate with insurgents during the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794 and contributed largely to the amicable settlement of that dispute. In the same year, he was elected to the United States Senate and held office until 3 March 1803. Ross moved to Pittsburgh in 1795 and died there on 27 November 1847.

Senator Ross was a galley built at Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1798 by John Taylor to protect commerce on the Mississippi. No records of her service have been found.