USS Insurgent (1799)
| 300px Naval encounter during the Quasi-War between USS Constellation and French ship Insurgente (right) on 9 February 1799. | |
| Career (France) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | Insurgente |
| Career | 100x35px |
| Name: | USS Insurgent |
| Acquired: | Captured by USS Constellation, 9 February 1799 |
| Commissioned: | August 1799 |
| Fate: | Lost at sea, September 1800 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Sémillante class frigate |
| Tons burthen: | 600 tonn |
| Length: | 45.5 metres |
| Beam: | 11.5 metres |
| Draught: | 5.5 metres |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Sail plan: | Ship |
| Complement: | 340 officers and enlisted |
| Armament: |
French service US service
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The Insurgente was a 32-gun Sémillante class frigate of the French Navy. She was captured during the Quasi-War and then purchased by the United States Navy as USS Insurgent.
Insurgent was captured by USS Constellation, Captain Thomas Truxtun in command, after a chase and battle of an hour and a quarter off the island of Nevis in the West Indies 9 February 1799. Considered a prize in the Quasi-War with France, the frigate was refitted for service in the West Indies and cruised under Lt. John Rodgers in company with Constellation until May 1799.
Ordered back to the United States, Insurgent was purchased by the Navy for $84,500. Commissioned with Captain Alexander Murray in command, Insurgent sailed from Hampton Roads for Europe 14 August 1799. Cruising in European waters during the winter of 1799-1800, the frigate captured French ship Vendémiaire and recaptured the American ships Margaret, Angora, Commerce, and William and Mary. Insurgent returned to the United States in March 1800 via the West Indies.
Patrick Fletcher assumed command of Insurgent 29 April 1800 and 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. Insurgent departed Baltimore 22 July and after a brief stop at Hampton Roads sailed for 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.
This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
