Après la Tempête: After the Storm, and then the Storm Thereafter
To: Captain Samuel Nicholson, USS Constitution;
Captain Thomas Truxtun, USS Constellation;
Captain Stephen Decatur Sr., USS Phiadelphia;
Captain, Richard Valentine Morris, USS New York;
Captain Edwin Preble, USS Essex
From: Captain John Barry, Commodore Caribbean Squadron
Re: Three month cruise in the Greater Antilles
Sirs:
You are directed to accompany me on a cruise of the Greater Antilles to intercept any French merchantmen and warships that come our way. We will rendezvous at the mouth of the port of Havana, Cuba at 6:00 a.m. on March 23, 1800 and proceed, in company, to Saint-Marc, Haiti.
Respectfully,
John Barry
Commodore, Caribbean Squadron
___________________ . ___________________
To: Captain Samuel Nicholson; Acting Commodore, Caribbean Squadron
From: 2nd Lt. William Perry Jones, Acting Commander USS United States
Re; Engagement, April 2, 1800
Sir:
I regret to report, for the record, the death of Captain John Barry, commander of the USS United States and Commodore of the Caribbean Squadron of the United States Navy. His last courageous act was to fling his ship into the maelstrom to prevent a French Fleet from entering the Port of Saint-Marc, Haiti. His actions lead to the sinking or capturing of two ships-of-the-line and three large frigates. He was a gallant sailor and he will be missed by the entire service.
I also must report that 1st Lt. Paul Marley was severely wounded during the action. While he may yet recover, his wounds have certainly ended his life at sea.
I was stationed on the bridge near the captain during the entire battle and feel that I am competent to give an accurate report of the events.
The USS United States and the USS Constitution had struck their sails and were blocking what appeared to be the only entrance to the harbor at Saint-Marc. The four frigates patrolled the entrance at battles. Seven French warships approached the harbor having suffered a great deal of damage in the storm of a fortnight ago. Captain Barry signaled the French, using their own signal flags, to turn into the wind and strike their colors if they wanted help. The enemy gave no sign of complying with the order and continued on their course.
The captain signaled our squadron to raise sails and to begin to encircle the enemy. Capt. Barry ordered our sails raised and we moved to intercept their flagship, Genereux. Constitution was signaled to follow.
Genereux signaled for us to let the French ships through or she would open fire. At 12:32 p.m. the two flagships opened the engagement by exchanging broadsides. Both sides took damage, but Genereux lost her foremast in the exchange.
United States lowered sails to backing and turned sharply to starboard, as Le Swiftsure rammed her. The two ships exchanged fire and Carmagnole added her own broadside to our damage. Our ship began to leak. Swifture caught fire and our musketry decimated her crew.
We broke away from the burning her as Swiftsure gave Constitution a raking broadside into her bow with what was left of her starboard guns.
Swiftsure collided with Constitution and Carmagnole collided with us. Our forward starboard guns punished Carmagnole and our port broadside joined in with Constitution's port broadside to put and end to Swiftsure.
With Genereux, Dryad, Unité adding there guns against us, our captain and first mate down, and Carmagnole ready to board, I ordered our flag to be struck. We were out of the fight;
___________________ . ___________________
To: His Excellency Benjamin Stoddert, Secretary of the Navy
From: Captain Samuel Nicholson; Acting Commodore, Caribbean Squadron
Re: Engagement, March 29, 1800
Sir:
As you have read in the report from 2nd Lt. William Perry Jones, our commodore, John Barry, was killed in action on March 29, this year. His 1st Lieutenant, Paul Marley was wounded so severely that he may not recover and his usefulness to the Navy is probably at an end. Let me describe what occurred after Lt. Jones surrendered his ship and the alterations I made to the squadron for your approval.
Constitution continued its battle until Genereux sank and Carmagnole struck her colors.
She fired a raking shot on Succes, causing great damage, as she struggled to make it through the channel.
Dryad was confronted by USS New York who sunk the Frenchman.
New York immediately joined in on the sinking of Genereux with a raking shot that sparked a second fire on board the enemy, and then fired her starboard broadside into Le Succes. She finished the battle colliding with Carmagnole, losing two of her masts.
USS Constellation took part in the sinking of Dryad and battled Courageuse into a watery grave.
USS Philadelphia and USS Essex swept the rear elements of the French convoy keeping the ships bottled up and less likely to break through the American screen. This was, as you know, of immeasurable import to the success of the mission. However it also meant that they had fewer opportunities to exchange fire with the enemy. They did get some licks in.
Philadelphia took devastating damage from raking shots provided by Courageuse and Dryad causing severe leaking below decks. Captain Stephen Decatur Sr. circled around the tail of the convoy until the leaks were shorn up.
Philadelphia rejoined the fight in time to take part in the capture of Carmagnole.
On seeing Philadelphia’s plight, Essex cut between Decatur’s ship and the French.
After an exchange of fire with Courageuse, and the fourth of our adversaries slipped beneath the sea.
Two ships escaped our grasp. Unité and Le Succes slipped through the uncharted channel and into the harbor. Both ships were severely damaged by the storm at sea and the storm thereafter.
Orders:
1st Lt. Ezekiel Fulbryte to take command of the ships being sent to Havana for immediate repair. He will act as captain of USS Constitution.
2nd Lt. William Perry Jones will command USS United States to Havana for immediate repair.
2nd Lt. Isaac D'Israeli will command the French prize ship, Carmagnole, to Havana for immediate repair.
Captain Samuel Nicholson to take command of the squadron and transfer the Commodore's Flag to USS Constellation.
Captain Thomas Truxtun to remain in command of USS Constellation.
USS Constellation, USS Philadelphia, USS New York, and USS Essex will continue the cruise, making repairs that can be made; then to arrive in Havana on or before June 15, 1800.
I hope that, in all of these decisions, you concur.
Respectfully yours,
Captain Samuel Nicholson;
Acting Commodore,
Caribbean Squadron
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Originally Posted by Hjl
You have certainly done my scenario proud with your interpretation Bob, and the larger Squadron.
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