The First USS Boston, (1776), Gundalow: Technically the first warship of the Thirteen American Colonies, the Continental ship Boston was built in 1776 for Benedict Arnold’s Lake Champlain Fleet. She served in one of the first battles of the American War of Independence, the Battle of Valcour Island. Her career was short, lasting from August to October of 1776. Shortly after the battle, cornered by the British along with the remaining fleet, she was destroyed along with the other ships by General Benedict Arnold (of diverse fame) in Buttonmold Bay (a shallow area of Lake Champlain) to prevent capture by the British.
Gundalows, perhaps due to the limited time available, were relatively primitive battleships. they were basically flat bottom cargo vessels topped with cannons. They were built and used by both American colonists and the British during the early part of the American War of Independence.

Please note that USS Boston is a popular term only;  technically speaking, American Colonial and United States ships of war did not carry the prefix USS until 1907.

USS Bostons Link: USS Boston Shipmates
From USS Boston Shipmates home page, click BOSTON Histories, then select Gundalow 1776-1776