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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Insurgent

Frigate:

Built, date unknown in France as the French frigate L'Insurgente

Launched, date unknown

Captured, 9 February 1799 by USS Constellation, Captain Thomas Truxtun in command, after a chase and battle off the island of Nevis in the West Indies

Considered a prize in the quasi-war with France, the frigate was refitted for service in the West Indies, LT. John Rodgers in command, she cruised the West Indies in company with Constellation until May 1799

Ordered back to the United States L'Insurgente was purchased by the Navy for $84,500

Commissioned USS Insurgent in 1799, CAPT. Alexander Murray in command

USS Insurgent sailed from Hampton Roads for Europe 14 August 1799

Cruising European waters in the winter of 1799-1800, she captured French ship Vendemaire and recaptured the American ships Margaret, Angora, Commerce, and William, and Mary

Insurgent returned to the United States in March 1800

USS Insurgent, CAPT. Patrick Fletcher assumed command, 29 April 1800, was ordered to cruise between the West Indies and the American coast to see that United States shipping rights were observed and to capture any enemy vessels he encountered

Departing Baltimore 22 July with a stop at Hampton Roads she reached her station 8 August 1800

Never heard from again, the frigate and her crew were presumed lost as a result of the severe storm which struck the West Indies 20 September 1800

Final Disposition, fate unknown

Specifications:
Displacement unknown
Length 148'
Beam 37'5"
Draft 11'9"
Speed unknown
Complement 340

Armament

twenty-four 12-pdrs

two 18-pdrs

eight long 6-pdrs

four 36-pdrs

two 24-pdrs

Propulsion sail

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
103k	Painting from the US Library of Congress of US Frigate Constellation (left) as she engages the French 40-gun frigate *L'Insurgente* on 9 February 1799, during the Quasi-War with France. Artist unknown. From "An Illustrated History of the United States Navy" by Chester G. Hearn.	Robert Hurst
137k	USF Constellation captures *L'Insurgente*, February 9, 1799 during the Quasi-Wars with France. Artist unknown.	Arnold A. Putnam
165k	Painting of the frigate USF Constellation (left) engaging the French 50-gun frigate *La'Vengeance* on 2 February 1800 during the Quasi-War with France. Artist unknown. From the US Navy Memorial. "On February 2, 1800 the 50-gun *La'Vengeance*, was enroute to France from Guadalupe when Commander Thomas Truxtun spied the French ship. A four-hour battle ensued.... The French directed their fire on Constellations's rigging, Constellation concentrated on La'Vengeance's hull and timbers. The punishment to La'Vengeance was so great that three times the French attempted to haul down their colors. However, in the growing darkness, Truxtun was not able to see the signal.... The French fire finally weakened Constellation's mainmast so it snapped off at the deck. Truxtun pulled back to repair the damage and La'Vengeance escaped into the darkness."	Tommy Trampp
124k	The battle between the USF Constellation and th French frigate *L'Insurgente*, 9 February 1799, from a painting by Chares Patterson. "History of the US Navy", by James M. Morris, courtesy the National Maritime Museum, United Kingdom.	Tommy Trampp
222k	USF Constellation defeats *L'Insurgente*, 1 February 1800 during the Quasi-Wars with France. Artist unknown.	Arnold A. Putnam

USS Insurgent
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

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Last Updated 26 July 2019