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Revision as of 00:03, 16 December 2010 edit$1LENCE D00600D (talk | contribs)18,642 editsm moved Action of 25 October 1800 to USS Enterprise vs Flambeau over redirect: A better title and a standard used for the titles of many other naval battles.← Previous edit Latest revision as of 22:32, 21 September 2023 edit undoAidan721 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Template editors119,963 edits added Category:October 1800 events using HotCat 
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{{Short description|Naval battle in 1800}}
{{Infobox Military Conflict {{Infobox military conflict
|date=25 October 1800 |date=25 October 1800
|conflict=USS ''Enterprise'' vs ''Flambeau'' |conflict=USS ''Enterprise'' vs ''Flambeau''
|partof=the ] |partof=the ]
|image=] |image=Fight between the Enterprise and the French brig Flambeau-cropped.jpeg
|image_size=200px
|caption=The USS Enterprise engaging the French privateer Flambeau |caption=USS ''Enterprise'' engaging the French privateer ''Flambeau''
|place=off the east coast of ] |place=Off the east coast of ]
|result=American Victory |result=American victory
|combatant1={{flag|United States|1795}} |combatant1={{flag|United States|1795}}
|combatant2=] ]
|combatant2={{flag|France}}
|commander1=Lieutenant ] |commander1={{flagicon image|Naval_jack_of_the_United_States_(1795–1818).svg}} ]
|commander2=unknown |commander2={{flagicon|France|naval}} Unknown
|strength1=1 ]<br>83 Crew |strength1=1&nbsp;]<br>83&nbsp;men<br>12 six-pounder guns
|strength2=1 ] <br> 110 Crew<ref name="Hill, 103">Hill, 103</ref> |strength2=1&nbsp;] <br> 110&nbsp;men<ref name="Hill, 103">{{Harvnb|Hill|1903|p=103}}</ref><br>12 eight-pounder guns
|casualties1=3 killed<br>7 wounded<ref name="Emmons, 52">Emmons, 52</ref> |casualties1=3&nbsp;killed<br>7&nbsp;wounded<ref name="Emmons, 53">{{Harvnb|Emmons|1853|p=52}}</ref>
|casualties2=7 killed<br>33 wounded<br>1 Brig captured<ref name="Emmons, 53">Emmons, 53</ref> |casualties2=7&nbsp;killed<br>33&nbsp;wounded<br>70 prisoners<br>1 Brig captured<ref name="Emmons, 53">{{Harvnb|Emmons|1853|p=52}}</ref>
}} }}
{{Campaignbox Quasi-War}} {{Campaignbox Quasi-War}}


The '''Action of 25 October 1800''' was a ] during the ]. During the action the {{USS|Enterprise|1799|6}} defeated the French ] brig ''Flambeau'' off the ] side of the island of Domicica in the ]. Although the ''Enterprise'' was outgunned by the ''Flambeau'' she was still able to take her as a ] after a short battle. The battle helped bring to fame the ''Enterprise's'' commanding officer, Lieutenant ], who added the capture of ''Flambeau'' to his already long list of French prizes. '''USS ''Enterprise'' vs ''Flambeau''''' was a ] fought in October 1800 during the ], and the final battle between French and American forces. During the action, {{USS|Enterprise|1799|6}} defeated the French ] ''Flambeau'' off the ] side of the island of ] in the ]. Although ''Enterprise'' was outgunned by ''Flambeau'', she was still able to take her as a ] after a short battle. The battle helped bring to fame ''Enterprise''{{'}}s commanding officer, ], who added the capture of ''Flambeau'' to his already long list of French prizes.

''Enterprise'' continued patrolling the Caribbean, chasing down and capturing French vessel ''Pauline'', and later ''Guadaloupeenne''. Chronic illness forced Shaw to transfer command of ''Enterprise'' to Lieutenant ], who continued the patrol and took several more French prizes before returning home.

==Background== ==Background==
During the ] American merchant ships often became the target of French ]s who siezed them in large quatities. In an effort to stem these depredations against American shipping several ] warships were dispatched to hunt down French privateers. One such vessel was the the {{USS|Enterprise|1799|6}}, American naval ] under the command of Lieutenant John Shaw. ''Enterprise'' had been sent out to the ] in March 1800 with orders to cruise against French shipping in the region. ''Enterprise'' had already previously engaged and defeated several French ]s when on the night of 24 October she sighted the privateer ''Flambeau'' off the leeward side of ].<ref name="Cooper, 112">Cooper, 112</ref> During the ] American merchant ships often became the target of French ]s who seized them in large quantities. In an effort to stem these depredations against American shipping several ] warships were dispatched to hunt down French privateers. One such vessel was {{USS|Enterprise|1799|6}}, an American naval ] under the command of Lieutenant John Shaw. ''Enterprise'' had been sent out to the ] in March 1800 with orders to cruise against French shipping in the region. ''Enterprise'' had already previously engaged and defeated several French privateers when on the night of 24 October she sighted the privateer ''Flambeau'' off the leeward side of ].<ref name="Cooper, 112">{{Harvnb|Cooper|1844|p=112}}</ref>


The French ] ''Flambeau'' was a ] that was slightly more powerful than ''Enterprise'', having twelve eight-pound ] as compared to the American schooner's dozen six-pounders. The French privateer also had more crew than the American vessel, 110 opposed to ''Enterprise's'' 83.<ref name="Cooper, 112"/> With a broadside of 48 pounds to ''Enterprise's'' 36 pounds and with a larger crew, ''Flambeau'' had an advantage over ''Enterprise''.<ref name="Cooper, 112"/> Nonetheless, Shaw decided to engage ''Flambeau''. ''Enterprise'' could not catch up to ''Flambeau'' but when morning came ''Flambeau'' found herself becalmed. Her captain then used sweeps to close with ''Enterprise''.<ref>Peterson, 164</ref> The French ] ''Flambeau'' was a ] that was slightly more powerful than ''Enterprise'', having twelve {{convert|8|pdr|adj=on}} ] as compared to the American schooner's dozen {{convert|6|pdr|adj=on}} guns. The French privateer also had more crew than the American vessel, 110 opposed to ''Enterprise''{{'}}s 83.<ref name="Cooper, 112"/> With a ] of {{convert|48|lb}} to ''Enterprise''{{'}}s {{convert|36|lb}} and with a larger crew, ''Flambeau'' had an advantage over ''Enterprise''.<ref name="Cooper, 112"/> Nonetheless, Shaw decided to engage ''Flambeau''. ''Enterprise'' could not catch up to ''Flambeau'' but when morning came ''Flambeau'' found herself becalmed. Her captain then used sweeps to close with ''Enterprise''.<ref>{{Harvnb|Peterson|1860|p=164}}</ref>


==Action== ==Action==
Eventually a wind came and the two ships managed to maneuver towards each other until they were within ] range. After engaging with ] for a while, Lieutenant Shaw eventually veered his schooner away and the ''Flambeau'' opened up on the Americans with a ] of ]. ''The Enterprise'' replied with her own broadside and the two vessels engaged each other with cannon for twenty minutes.<ref name="Allen, 202">Allen, 202</ref> The ''Flambeau'' was beginning to receive heavy damage when her captain decided to disengage and maneuvered away from the ''Enterprise''.<ref>Peterson, 165</ref> However, ''Enterprise'' pursued the French brig and continued to engage her. Eventually a wind came and the two ships managed to maneuver towards each other until they were within ] range. After engaging with ] for a while, Lieutenant Shaw eventually veered his schooner away and ''Flambeau'' opened up on the Americans with a broadside of ]. ''Enterprise'' replied with her own broadside and the two vessels engaged each other with cannon for twenty minutes.<ref name="Allen, 202">{{Harvnb|Allen|1909|p=202}}</ref> ''Flambeau'' was beginning to receive heavy damage when her captain decided to disengage and maneuvered away from ''Enterprise''.<ref>{{Harvnb|Peterson|1860|p=165}}</ref> However, ''Enterprise'' pursued the French brig and continued to engage her.


''Flambeau'''s ] was in danger of being ] from damage it had received from ''Enterprise'', so the French captain sent men aloft to try to repair it.<ref name="Cooper, 112"/> However after a sudden gust of wind the mast flew off the ship carrying six French sailors with it. The ''Enterprise'' ceased her attacks upon the ''Flambeau'' and sent out a boat to rescue the French sailors adrift on the topmast.<ref name="Allen, 202"/> After rescuing the French topmen, the ''Enterprise'' caught up with the French brig and came alongside. Before the action could continue the French captain ] as Flambeau's ] had been destroyed and the ] compromised multiple times.<ref name="Cooper, 112"/> ''Flambeau''{{'}}s ] was in danger of being dismasted from damage it had received from ''Enterprise'', so the French captain sent men aloft to try to repair it.<ref name="Cooper, 112"/> However after a sudden gust of wind the mast flew off the ship carrying six French sailors with it. ''Enterprise'' ceased her attacks upon ''Flambeau'' and sent out a boat to rescue the French sailors adrift on the topmast.<ref name="Allen, 202"/> After rescuing the French topmen, ''Enterprise'' caught up with the French brig and came alongside. Before the action could continue the French captain ] as ''Flambeau''{{'}}s ] had been destroyed and the ] compromised multiple times.<ref name="Cooper, 112"/>


==Aftermath== ==Aftermath==
The entire action lasted about forty minutes. The French were much worse off than the Americans in terms of casualties, with 7 Frenchmen killed and 33 wounded compaired to 3 Americans killed and 7 wounded. A ] crew from ''Enterprise'' was sent aboard the ''Flambeau'' and sailed her to ] where she was condemned. The proceeds from the sale of the ''Flambeau'' were adjudicated to the crew of the ''Enterprise''.<ref>Peterson, 166</ref> The entire action lasted about forty minutes. The French were much worse off than the Americans in terms of casualties, with 7 Frenchmen killed and 33&nbsp;wounded compared to 3 Americans killed and 7&nbsp;wounded. A ] crew from ''Enterprise'' was sent aboard ''Flambeau'' and sailed her to ] where she was condemned. The proceeds from the sale of ''Flambeau'' were adjudicated to the crew of ''Enterprise''.<ref>{{Harvnb|Peterson|1860|p=166}}</ref>
The capture of ''Flambeau'' brought further acclaim to Shaw, who had already defeated several other French privateers and taken them as prizes. ''Enterprise'' continued her cruise, next chasing down and capturing the ''Pauline'' and later the ''Guadaloupeenne''.<ref>Peterson, 167</ref> Shortly afterward, chronic illness forced Shaw to transfer command of the vessel to Lieutenant ]. Sterret continued to cruise the Caribbean, taking several more prizes before returning home. Upon Shaw's return home the president and other public officials personally thanked him for his service. Shaw later continued his naval career, serving with distinction during the ].<ref>Cooper, 113–114</ref> The capture of ''Flambeau'' brought further acclaim to Shaw, who had already defeated several other French privateers and taken them as prizes. ''Enterprise'' continued her cruise, next chasing down and capturing ''Pauline'' and later ''Guadaloupeenne''.<ref>{{Harvnb|Peterson|1860|p=167}}</ref> Shortly afterward, chronic illness forced Shaw to transfer command of the vessel to Lieutenant ]. Sterret continued to cruise the Caribbean, taking several more prizes before returning home. Upon Shaw's return home the president and other public officials personally thanked him for his service. Shaw later continued his naval career, serving with distinction during the ].<ref>{{Harvnb|Cooper|1844|pp=113–114}}</ref>


==Citations== ==Citations==
{{reflist|2}} {{reflist|28em}}

==References== ==References==
*{{cite book *{{cite book
| last = Allen | last = Allen
| first = Gardner Weld | first = Gardner Weld
| authorlink = Gardner Allen
| coauthors =
| title = Our naval war with France | title = Our naval war with France
| publisher = Cornell University Library | publisher = Cornell University Library
| year = 1909 | year = 1909
| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=rsUl8e0YaZoC&q=experiment+picaroons&pg=PA520
| location =
⚫ | isbn =1-112-12707-0 }}
| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=rsUl8e0YaZoC&pg=PA520&lpg=PA520&dq=experiment+picaroons&source=bl&ots=Ld4i4Ck3Ph&sig=QCepoqbTm4iaoaCFoU0zvGckf_I&hl=en&ei=8S2DSsedK5GHmQf0lKyhDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=experiment%20picaroons&f=false
| doi =
| id =
⚫ | isbn =1112127070 }}
*{{Cite journal *{{Cite journal
| last = Cooper | last = Cooper
| first =James Fenimore | first =James Fenimore
| authorlink = James Fenimore Cooper | author-link = James Fenimore Cooper
| coauthors =
| title = John Shaw | title = John Shaw
| journal = Graham's Magazine | journal = Graham's Magazine
| volume = 39 | volume = 39
| issue =
| pages =
| publisher = George R Graham | publisher = George R Graham
| location = Philadelphia | location = Philadelphia
| year = 1844 | year = 1844
| url = http://books.google.com/books?id=jJvPAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA112&dq=shaw+Enterprise+Flambeau&lr=#v=onepage&q=shaw%20Enterprise%20Flambeau&f=false | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=jJvPAAAAMAAJ&q=shaw+Enterprise+Flambeau&pg=PA112
⚫ | access-date =October 31, 2009 }}
| issn =
| doi =
| id =
⚫ | accessdate =October 31, 2009 }}
*{{cite book *{{cite book
| last = Emmons | last = Emmons
| first = George Foster | first = George Foster
| authorlink = George F. Emmons | author-link = George F. Emmons
| coauthors =
| title = The navy of the United States, from the commencement, 1775 to 1853 | title = The navy of the United States, from the commencement, 1775 to 1853
| publisher = Gideon & Co. | publisher = Gideon & Co.
| year = 1853 | year = 1853
| location = Washington | location = Washington
| url =https://archive.org/details/navyunitedstate00ngoog
| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=7HoFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA23&dq=Alligator+list+of+captures+united+states+navy+1775+-+1853&hl=en&ei=S5JYTM6wJYa48QSf27DsBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
| page =
| doi =
| quote = Alligator list of captures united states navy 1775 - 1853.
| id =
| isbn = }} }}
*{{cite book *{{cite book
| last = Hill | last = Hill
| first = Frederic Stanhope | first = Frederic Stanhope
| authorlink = Frederic Stanhope Hill
| coauthors =
| title = Twenty-six Historic Ships | title = Twenty-six Historic Ships
| publisher = G.P. Putnam's Sons | publisher = G.P. Putnam's Sons
| year = 1903 | year = 1903
| location = New York and London | location = New York and London
| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=JBASAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA103&dq=shaw+Enterprise+Flambeau&lr=#v=onepage&q=shaw%20Enterprise%20Flambeau&f=false | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=JBASAAAAYAAJ&q=shaw+Enterprise+Flambeau&pg=PA103
}}
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = }}
*{{cite book *{{cite book
| last = Peterson | last = Peterson
| first = Charles J. | first = Charles J.
| authorlink = Charles J. Peterson
| coauthors =
| title = The American Navy | title = The American Navy
| publisher = James B. Smith & Co. | publisher = James B. Smith & Co.
| year = 1860 | year = 1860
| location = Philadelphia | location = Philadelphia
| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=k0yT3N4UeyMC&pg=PA166&dq=shaw+Enterprise+Flambeau&lr=#v=onepage&q=shaw%20Enterprise%20Flambeau&f=false | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=k0yT3N4UeyMC&q=shaw+Enterprise+Flambeau&pg=PA166
| doi = | isbn = 9781428640108}}

| id =
{{good article}}
| isbn = }}


{{coord missing|Dominica|conflict=yes}} {{coord missing|Dominica}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:USS ''Enterprise'' vs ''Flambeau''}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Uss Enterprise Vs Flambeau}} {{DEFAULTSORT:USS Enterprise vs Flambeau}}
] ]
] ]
]
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Latest revision as of 22:32, 21 September 2023

Naval battle in 1800
USS Enterprise vs Flambeau
Part of the Quasi-War

USS Enterprise engaging the French privateer Flambeau
Date25 October 1800
LocationOff the east coast of Dominica
Result American victory
Belligerents
 United States France
Commanders and leaders
John Shaw France Unknown
Strength
1 Schooner
83 men
12 six-pounder guns		 1 Brig
110 men
12 eight-pounder guns
Casualties and losses
3 killed
7 wounded		 7 killed
33 wounded
70 prisoners
1 Brig captured
Quasi-War

USS Enterprise vs Flambeau was a single ship action fought in October 1800 during the Quasi-War, and the final battle between French and American forces. During the action, USS Enterprise defeated the French brig Flambeau off the leeward side of the island of Dominica in the Caribbean Sea. Although Enterprise was outgunned by Flambeau, she was still able to take her as a prize after a short battle. The battle helped bring to fame Enterprise's commanding officer, John Shaw, who added the capture of Flambeau to his already long list of French prizes.

Enterprise continued patrolling the Caribbean, chasing down and capturing French vessel Pauline, and later Guadaloupeenne. Chronic illness forced Shaw to transfer command of Enterprise to Lieutenant Andrew Sterett, who continued the patrol and took several more French prizes before returning home.

Background

During the Quasi-War American merchant ships often became the target of French privateers who seized them in large quantities. In an effort to stem these depredations against American shipping several United States Navy warships were dispatched to hunt down French privateers. One such vessel was USS Enterprise, an American naval schooner under the command of Lieutenant John Shaw. Enterprise had been sent out to the Caribbean Sea in March 1800 with orders to cruise against French shipping in the region. Enterprise had already previously engaged and defeated several French privateers when on the night of 24 October she sighted the privateer Flambeau off the leeward side of Dominica.

The French letter of marque Flambeau was a brig that was slightly more powerful than Enterprise, having twelve 8-pounder (3.6 kg) cannon as compared to the American schooner's dozen 6-pounder (2.7 kg) guns. The French privateer also had more crew than the American vessel, 110 opposed to Enterprise's 83. With a broadside of 48 pounds (22 kg) to Enterprise's 36 pounds (16 kg) and with a larger crew, Flambeau had an advantage over Enterprise. Nonetheless, Shaw decided to engage Flambeau. Enterprise could not catch up to Flambeau but when morning came Flambeau found herself becalmed. Her captain then used sweeps to close with Enterprise.

Action

Eventually a wind came and the two ships managed to maneuver towards each other until they were within musket range. After engaging with small arms for a while, Lieutenant Shaw eventually veered his schooner away and Flambeau opened up on the Americans with a broadside of roundshot. Enterprise replied with her own broadside and the two vessels engaged each other with cannon for twenty minutes. Flambeau was beginning to receive heavy damage when her captain decided to disengage and maneuvered away from Enterprise. However, Enterprise pursued the French brig and continued to engage her.

Flambeau's foretopmast was in danger of being dismasted from damage it had received from Enterprise, so the French captain sent men aloft to try to repair it. However after a sudden gust of wind the mast flew off the ship carrying six French sailors with it. Enterprise ceased her attacks upon Flambeau and sent out a boat to rescue the French sailors adrift on the topmast. After rescuing the French topmen, Enterprise caught up with the French brig and came alongside. Before the action could continue the French captain struck her colours as Flambeau's medicine chest had been destroyed and the hull compromised multiple times.

Aftermath

The entire action lasted about forty minutes. The French were much worse off than the Americans in terms of casualties, with 7 Frenchmen killed and 33 wounded compared to 3 Americans killed and 7 wounded. A prize crew from Enterprise was sent aboard Flambeau and sailed her to Saint Kitts where she was condemned. The proceeds from the sale of Flambeau were adjudicated to the crew of Enterprise.

The capture of Flambeau brought further acclaim to Shaw, who had already defeated several other French privateers and taken them as prizes. Enterprise continued her cruise, next chasing down and capturing Pauline and later Guadaloupeenne. Shortly afterward, chronic illness forced Shaw to transfer command of the vessel to Lieutenant Andrew Sterett. Sterret continued to cruise the Caribbean, taking several more prizes before returning home. Upon Shaw's return home the president and other public officials personally thanked him for his service. Shaw later continued his naval career, serving with distinction during the War of 1812.

Citations

  1. Hill 1903, p. 103
  2. ^ Emmons 1853, p. 52
  3. ^ Cooper 1844, p. 112
  4. Peterson 1860, p. 164
  5. ^ Allen 1909, p. 202
  6. Peterson 1860, p. 165
  7. Peterson 1860, p. 166
  8. Peterson 1860, p. 167
  9. Cooper 1844, pp. 113–114

References

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