The After Action Report
September 8, 1800
To: William Bainbridge: Captain; USS United States
Thomas Truxton: Captain; USS Constellation
Stephen Decatur Sr.: Captain; USS Philadelphia
Richard Valentine Morris: Captain; USS Boston
Edwin Preble Captain; USS Essex
From: Samuel Nicholson, Commodore, Caribbean Squadron
Gentlemen:
Our squadron has been ordered to cruise the Lesser Antilles in search of a French Squadron reported to be in the area. The enemy squadron is fairly large and has reportedly already captured several merchant ships.
We will sail in three days and will be gone at least a month. Prepare for a dangerous outing.
My apologies Mr. Morris, USS Boston is the only frigate available in the fleet. She is smaller than you are used to, but it will have to do.
Samuel Nicholson
Commodore
Caribbean Squadron
___________________ . ___________________
USS Constitution: Squadron Log
1800
Samuel Nicholson, Commodore
September 11: USS Constitution, USS United States, USS Constellation, USS Philadelphia, USS Essex, and USS Boston set sail from our base in Havana on the morning tide heading for Montserrat. We are looking for a large squadron harassing American commerce.
September 18: Having found no sign of the French squadron in the vicinity of Montserrat, the squadron will skirt the eastern shores of Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Martinique before heading for resupply in Bridgetown, Barbados.
September 23: The French squadron has been sighted by USS United States. They appear to be two third rated ships-of-the-line and four frigates in support. I have signaled Captain Bainbridge to pursue the French and we will form a line of battle on his ship. The wind is from the East.
September 24: We are closing in on the French and should be able to bring them to battle today. A blanket of fog is closing in on us from the North. I signaled all ships to close to within two ship lengths and place hooded stern lanterns for ships to follow. I also warned that any ship leaving formation was endanger of being mistaken for enemy combatants.
___________________ . ___________________
It is evening, the fog has lifted, the French are nowhere to be seen and USS United States and USS Constitution are alone on a course headed for Barbados. We should reach Bridgeport on the 29th, God willing. We looked for survivors and found a lone whaleboat whose crew was all that was left of Constellation. Flotsam from at least four other ships was found scattered across the ocean.
Our squadron entered the fog this morning at 8:47. We were barely able to see Bainbridge’s stern lantern at the prescribed distance of separation I had ordered.
We had a fleeting glimpse of a ship-of-the-line three points off our starboard bow heading southeasterly. Five minutes later another ship-of-the-line appeared six points off the starboard bow heading to the southwest, then it too vanished.
A heavy frigate, appearing to be the Carmagnole, was sited heading directly for United States. Bainbridge let loose with his rear division on the Frenchman causing a major fire to light up the sky. There seemed to be no need for us to add our cannons for she was sinking fast.
The glow from the burning Carmagnole revealed another heavy frigate five points off our port stern. Dryade was moving due west, then turned into the wind and faded into the mist.
A smaller frigate, Hermione, was sighted off the starboard beam heading northwest, presumably for Constellation or to pickup survivors from Carmagnole.
She turned into the wind shortening the distance between our two ships, but still out of range of our double-shotted guns. Constellation used her forward starboard guns bringing down Hermione’s forward mast and shredding her main topgallant.
Hermione’s move toward Constellation must have been the opening of an ambush set by the French squadron. I have no direct understanding what occurred to the ships behind Constitution, except to say that the flash and booming of cannons erupted all along the line. Constitution, with United States in front of her, could do nothing but sail forward. Should we have turned to aid our comrades we would have been mistaken for the enemy and been unable to tell friend from foe, perhaps firing on our own ships by mistake. So on we sailed.
Midshipman Josiah Williams of the USS Constellation was in command of the only surviving whaleboat from that doomed ship. What follows is from his report to me.
The French frigate Hermione tacked sharply to port, filling her sails, picking up speed and delivering a very effective broadside into Constitution. She must have been double-shotted and well primed. Our deck was splattered with splinters the size of handspikes and we started to leak. Captain Truxton ordered us to sail on and follow the lantern of the Constitution.
I could see muzzle flashes coming from Philadelphia’s port guns and the answering report from a ship-of–the-line. Philadelphia’s foremast toppled into the sea. I could feel the force of the barrage from as faraway away as I was. The carnage must have been terrible.
A second Ship-of-the-line, Genereux, appeared off our starboard bow and emptied her full broadside at us. Our mainmast was severed and fire erupted below decks in two places. We were going down. My father Lieutenant Isaiah Williams handed me the ship’s log and ordered fourteen sailors to accompany me in the ship’s whaleboat. He gave us his compass and sent us east-by-southeast away from the fight.
Those of us that were in that whaleboat watched both Constellation and Philadelphia go under the waves. Fighting continued behind us for a short while then all was silent. I split the crew into two watches and we struck out for Barbados.
Josiah Williams, Midshipman, USS Constellation
To continue,
Constitution’s starboard, rear division attacked Genereux causing her foremast to fall and a fire to start on her mail deck. A smaller frigate came into view, but wisely stayed out of range. Cannon fire continued for the next half-hour then it was quiet.
United States and Constitution continued on our course until we were out of the fog then began our search for survivors.
September 28: USS Boston was sighted on the horizon. Constitution and United States shortened sails to allow Boston to join us before nightfall. Captain Morris’s report on fate of Essex follows:
Essex, Philadelphia and a French heavy frigate collided in the fog. Essex and the frigate exchanged fire. It was evident that Essex had sustained a great deal of damage. She broke formation and turned into the wind and we followed.
Water was pouring from Essex’s pumps when the French ship-of-the-line fired her rear division guns into her. Essex began to burn. Boats were lowered and the crew abandoned ship.
We turned to windward in time to receive the starboard broadside from the frigate.
We manned our pumps and presented our beam to our adversary. Our broadside tore into her hull causing smoke to billow from gaping holes at her waterline. I don’t know if we sunk the Frenchman because the fog obscured our view, but I think we may have.
Richard Valentine Morris
Captain; USS Boston
The failure of the mission is my responsibility. The loss of the three ships and their crews is, of course, my fault. The squadron will resupply and take on new hands here in Bridgeport and sail for Havana in a week’s time.
Samuel Nicholson
Commodore, Caribbean Squadron
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Bligh
Plead his case, my man!
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