USS General Greene (1799)

Last updated
History
US flag 15 stars.svgUnited States
NameUSS General Greene
Namesake Nathanael Greene
BuilderBenjamin Talman and James de Wolf
Cost$105,492
Launched21 January 1799
Commissioned2 June 1799
FateBurned, 24 August 1814
General characteristics
Type Frigate
Tonnagetonnage 654
Length124 ft 3 in (37.87 m)
Beam34 ft 8 in (10.57 m)
Draft17 ft 4 in (5.28 m)
PropulsionSail
Complement220 [1] or 250 officers and enlisted
Armament
  • 24 × 12-pounder guns
  • 6 × 6-pounder guns

The second USS General Greene was a frigate in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France.

Named after American Revolution General Nathaneal Greene, she was built under government contract by Benjamin Talman and James De Wolf at Warren, Rhode Island. Launched on 21 January 1799, the frigate was placed under command of Captain Christopher R. Perry. Perry's son, a young midshipman named Oliver Hazard Perry, was assigned to his father's ship.

General Greene sailed on 2 June 1799, joining the Governor Jay in convoying five merchantmen to Havana. Damage suffered in a heavy gale caused her to put in at Havana for repairs, and her crew was struck with yellow fever. More than 20 died and the frigate returned to Newport, Rhode Island, on 27 July with 37 men in various stages of recovery. After a thorough cleaning, fumigation, and change of ballast, she departed Newport on 23 September 1799 to take station at Cap Francois, San Domingo.

General Greene remained off San Domingo for the following six months. In company with USS Boston, on 1 December 1799 she assisted in the recaptured Danish brig "Flying Fish", captured by André Rigaud's barges, but with questionable crewing and other oddities (possibly French owned) [2] and retook the American schooner Weymouth, which had been captured by French privateer Hope. [3] Much of her time was spent watching over the rebellion against General Toussaint in Haiti. She blockaded the port of Jacmel to cut off supplies of the rebels, and gave direct gunfire support to General Toussaint's army in the capture of Jacmel on 27 February 1800. On 2 March, 1800 she detained Danish schooner "William and Mary" and allowed her capture by one of General Toussaint's barges later in the day. [4] On 11 March she captured an unknown French privateer schooner off Jackmel. [5] Some time before 4 April she captured 2 prizes. One of the prizes was schooner "General Toussaint", which Captain Silas Talbot ordered released. [6] She remained at Jacmel as a possible haven for American citizens until 27 April, when she sailed with two representatives sent by General Toussaint for an audience with the President of the United States, John Adams. Stopping at New Orleans, she embarked General James Wilkinson and his family for transport home. General Greene then proceeded as escort for 12 merchantmen bound to Havana, arriving there 22 June. [7] She departed Havana 26 June escorting a convoy of 12 merchantmen. [8] She finally returned to Newport, arriving on 21 July 1800.

General Greene's crew was discharged and the frigate remained idle at Newport, until Captain Perry was retired under the Peace Establishment Act of 3 April 1801. Capt. Richard Derby was ordered to take command in a letter written 2 September, 1800, repealed 8 September. [9] A Court of Enquiry was held on various lapses in obeying Orders and other conduct during the last deployment. Following the enquiry President John Adams ordered Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddart to suspend Perry from the Service for 3 months without pay. Capt. Hugh G. Campbell was ordered to assume command in a letter dated 28 November. [10] after which she was laid up in ordinary at the Washington Navy Yard. In a letter dated 21 July, 1802 Lt. Isaac Chauncey was ordered to take command for an anticipated deployment to the Mediterranean during the First Barbary War. [11] In a letter dated 13 August the order was rescinded and her crew transferred to USS New York. [12] In a letter dated 19 November, 1802 Midshipman George S. Hackley was ordered to take command of her as Sailing Master. [13] She was ordered to serve as a quarantine/hospital ship for frigate USS Constellation in a letter dated 16 March, 1803. [14] On 14 November, 1803 orders were issued to put her in complete repair. [15] She was reduced to a sheer hulk in 1805.

The General Greene was scuttled by burning on 24 August 1814 when British troops captured Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812. [16]

Related Research Articles

USS <i>Enterprise</i> (1799) US Navy schooner

The USS Enterprise was a schooner, built by Henry Spencer at Baltimore, Maryland, in 1799. Her first commander thought that she was too lightly built and that her quarters, in particular, should be bulletproofed. Enterprise was overhauled and rebuilt several times, effectively changing from a twelve-gun schooner to a fourteen-gun topsail schooner and eventually to a brig. Enterprise saw action in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean again, capturing numerous prizes. She wrecked in July 1823.

USS Baltimore was a ship of the United States Navy.

USS <i>Boston</i> (1799) Three-masted frigate of the United States Navy

The third USS Boston was a 32-gun wooden-hulled, three-masted frigate of the United States Navy. Boston was built by public subscription in Boston under the Act of 30 June 1798. Boston was active during the Quasi-War with France and the First Barbary War. On 12 October 1800, Bostonengaged and captured the French corvette Berceau. Boston was laid up in 1802, and considered not worth repairing at the outbreak of the War of 1812. She was burned at the Washington Naval Yard on 24 August 1814 to prevent her capture by British forces.

USS <i>Adams</i> (1799) American warship

USS Adams was a 28-gun (rated) sailing frigate of the United States Navy. She was laid down in 1797 at New York City by John Jackson and William Sheffield and launched on 8 June 1799. Captain Richard Valentine Morris took command of the ship.

USS <i>Philadelphia</i> (1799) United States 36-gun frigate

USS Philadelphia, a 1240-ton, 36-gun frigate, was the second vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the city of Philadelphia. Originally named City of Philadelphia, she was built in 1798–1799 for the United States government by residents of that city. Funding for her construction was raised by a drive that collected $100,000 in one week, in June 1798. She was designed by Josiah Fox and built by Samuel Humphreys, Nathaniel Hutton and John Delavue. Her carved work was done by William Rush of Philadelphia. She was laid down about November 14, 1798, launched on November 28, 1799, and commissioned on April 5, 1800, with Captain Stephen Decatur, Sr. in command. She was captured by Barbary pirates in Tripoli with William Bainbridge in command. Stephen Decatur led a raid that burned her down, preventing her use by the pirates.

USS <i>Constellation</i> (1797) U.S. naval frigate commissioned in 1797

USS Constellation was a nominally rated 38-gun wooden-hulled, three-masted frigate of the United States Navy.

USS <i>Essex</i> (1799)

The first USS Essex of the United States Navy was a 36-gun or 32-gun sailing frigate that participated in the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War, and in the War of 1812. The British captured her in 1814 and she then served as HMS Essex until sold at public auction on 6 June 1837.

The first USS Eagle, a schooner, was built at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1798, and commissioned in the Revenue Cutter Service under the command of Captain Hugh G. Campbell, USRCS.

USS Ganges was a man-of-war in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France.

USS <i>Experiment</i> (1799) United States Navy schooner

USS Experiment was a schooner in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France.

USS <i>Pickering</i> American schooner

USS Pickering was a brig, the 1st brig built for the UCRC Service, in the United States Revenue Cutter Service and then the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France. She was named for Timothy Pickering, then the Secretary of State.

The first USS George Washington was a frigate in the United States Navy. She was named after United States Founding Father and President George Washington.

The second USS Delaware was a ship which served in the United States Navy during Quasi-War with France.

USS <i>John Adams</i> (1799) United States Navy frigate (1799–1865)

The first John Adams was originally built in 1799 as a frigate for the United States Navy, converted to a corvette in 1809, and later converted back to a frigate in 1830. Named for American Founding Father and president John Adams, she fought in the Quasi-War, the First and Second Barbary Wars, the War of 1812, the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. At the end of her career, she participated in the Union blockade of South Carolina's ports.

USS Merrimack, was a ship launched by an Association of Newburyport Shipwrights and presented to the Navy in 1798. She was the first ship of the Navy to be named for the Merrimack River. She saw action in the Quasi-War.

USS Portsmouth was constructed for the United States Navy in 1798 by master shipbuilder James Hackett to a design of Josiah Fox at what is now Badger's Island in Kittery, Maine, directly across the Piscataqua River from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She was built with funds contributed by the citizens of Portsmouth.

USS Augusta was a brig purchased by the US Navy on 30 June 1799 at Norfolk, Virginia. She mistakenly went to Trenton, New Jersey arriving on 13 September, she was then ordered to Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania for inspection by naval constructor Joshua Humphreys to see if the transport would be suitable for use as a warship. Capt. Bird was replaced by Lieutenant Archibald McElroy on the 13th. Humphreys approved and fitting out began in September. She was placed in commission for service in the Quasi-War with France sometime late in 1799.

USS Richmond was a brig purchased for the US Navy in 1798 by the citizens of Richmond, Petersburg, Manchester and Norfolk, Virginia, while being built at Norfolk as Augusta for a Mr. Myers. Renamed Richmond, she was fitted out in the fall of that year and in December stood out from Hampton Roads for the Caribbean with Captain Samuel Barron in command for service in the Quasi-War with France.

The first USS Patapsco was a sloop in the United States Navy.

The Connecticut was a sailing frigate built by Seth Overton at Chatham, Conn. and launched 6 June 1799 at Middletown, Conn. During outfitting, probably on or just before 7 July she foundered. She was refloated. She sailed 15 Oct. 1799 under the command of Captain Moses Tryon for the Guadaloupe Station, arriving off Puerto Rico on 28 October. She cruised in the West Indies for a year during the Quasi-War with France, protecting American commerce from French privateers. Connecticut's successful career was highlighted by the capture of four privateers and the recapture of seven American merchantmen. On 7 November, 1799 she recaptured schooner "Hannah" captured 72 hours earlier. On 8 December she recaptured brig "Penelope" captured by French privateer "Fleur de Mair" on 3 December. On 28 December she engages captured American schooner "Polly" that is then run ashore a Legue west of Point Chateaux. After a fight with the prize crew, who were on shore, it was found to be impossible to refloat her and she was burned. On 30 December she captured off Point Petre French privateer brig "Conqueror of Italy", the most successful privateer operating out of Guadeloupe having captured 200 American merchant ships. "Conquest of Italy" was put in service as a tender for USS Constellation. On 15 January, 1800 She fired upon a privateer but it found shelter by a fort on Demerara, later that day she chased a ship ashore at Deseada which bilged and sank. On 2 April she stopped and detained ex-American schooner "Commerce" that had been captured by a privateer, condemned by Court at Point Peter and sold to a Dane. Capt. Tryon thought her papers were not "regular" and sent her to St. Kitts for evaluation, where she was released. On 28 April, with USS Richmond, she recaptured Thomas Chalkley. On 1 June, she captured privateer schooner "Le Piege" off Descada, and on 3 July recaptured brig "Martha and Mary" on the north side of St. Kitts. On 5 June, captured privateer schooner "La Unite". On 17 June, recaptured a schooner off Guadalupe. On 15 July, with USS Philadelphia, captured French Letter of Marque ketch "Le Chouchou". Arrived at New London, Conn., 18 Oct. 1800. Capt. Richard Derby was ordered to replace Capt. Tryon on 1 November. In a letter dated 20 February to Josiah Parker, chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, Navy Secretary Stoddert recommended selling her. Connecticut was sold at New York in 1801 for $19,300.

References

  1. ↑ Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France (PDF). Vol. VII Part 1 of 4: Naval Operations December 1800-December 1801, December 1800-March 1801. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 367. Retrieved 29 September 2024– via Ibiblio.
  2. ↑ "Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume Part 3 of 3 Naval Operations August 1799 to December 1799, December Pg. 467" (PDF). U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  3. ↑ "Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume Part 2 of 3 Naval Operations August 1799 to December 1799, October to November Pg. 423" (PDF). U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  4. ↑ "Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume Part 2 of 4 Naval Operations January to May, 1800, February, 1800-March, 1800 Pg. 266-269" (PDF). U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  5. ↑ "Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume Part 2 of 4 Naval Operations January to May, 1800, February, 1800-March, 1800 Pg. 318" (PDF). U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  6. ↑ "Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume Part 3 of 4 Naval Operations January to May, 1800, April 1800-May 1800 Pg. 385" (PDF). U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  7. ↑ "Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume 6 Part 1 of 4 Naval Operations June to November, 1800, June 1800 Pg. 70" (PDF). U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  8. ↑ "Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume 6 Part 1 of 4 Naval Operations June to November, 1800, June 1800 Pg. 92" (PDF). U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  9. ↑ Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France (PDF). Vol. VI Part 2 of 4: Naval Operations June to November 1800, July-August 1800. U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 313 & 333. Retrieved 27 August 2024– via Ibiblio.
  10. ↑ Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France (PDF). Vol. VI Part 2 of 4: Naval Operations June to November 1800, July-August 1800. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 559. Retrieved 13 September 2024– via Ibiblio.
  11. ↑ Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Volume II Part 2 of 3 January 1802 through August 1803 (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 206. Retrieved 6 November 2024– via Ibiblio.
  12. ↑ Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Volume II Part 2 of 3 January 1802 through August 1803 (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 233. Retrieved 8 November 2024– via Ibiblio.
  13. ↑ Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Volume II Part 2 of 3 January 1802 through August 1803 (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 316. Retrieved 11 November 2024– via Ibiblio.
  14. ↑ Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Volume II Part 2 of 3 January 1802 through August 1803 (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 374. Retrieved 13 November 2024– via Ibiblio.
  15. ↑ Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Volume III Part 2 of 3 September 1803 through March 1804 (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 220. Retrieved 13 December 2024– via Ibiblio.
  16. ↑ Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, ed. James L. Mooney, 5 vols., Washington, D.C., 1959–1981, 3:43–44
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.