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Vengeance
Brig:
Vengeance was one of four vessels procured and fitted out by the French government in February 1779 to form a special squadron under command of Capt. John Paul Jones.
The other three vessels were the frigate Bonhomme Richard, the frigate Pallas, and the
cutter Cerf
On 19 June 1779 the squadron sailed from L'Orient, France, accompanied by the frigate Alliance to escort French merchantmen and
troop transports to Bordeaux, and also to cruise against the British in the Bay of Biscay
On the second day out, Alliance fouled Bonhomme Richard, causing sufficient damage to force the squadron to return to port for repairs
on 1 July
The squadron sailed again on 14 August 1779, this time embarking on an extended cruise around the British Islas
On 21 August the squadron overtook Mayflower and on the 22nd send the British brig to L'Orient as a prize
On 3 September they took an Irish brigantine returning from Norway
On 15 September, they captured two colliers
While off Spurn Head, England, 22 September, Jones received a report from Vengeance that the English Baltic Fleet was approaching from the northeast
Jones ordered Vengeance to stand out to sea, find Alliance, and tell her to rendezvous with the squadron off Flamborough Head, England
The Americans encountered the fleet of 41 ships under convoy of the frigate HMS Serapis and the sloop-of-war
Countess of Scarborough the next day
During the ensuing battle, Capt. Jones in Bonhomme Richard captured Serapis against tremendous odds, losing his own ship but gaining an
international reputation for gallantry and daring both for himself and the fledgling Continental Navy
Pallas took Countess of Scarborough to complete the victory
All told, the American squadron took 16 merchant vessels as prizes during the voyage; Vengeance, herself claiming three
Vengeance remained with the Navy until American independence was secured in 1783 and was then returned to France
Specifications:
Displacement unknown
Length unknown
Beam unknown
Depth of Hold unknown
Draft unknown
Speed unknown
Complement unknown
Armament 12 guns
Propulsion sail
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Vengeance
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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Last Updated 17 May 2019