uss frolick

This account was translated by officers of the US Army War College in 1939, the transcript of which was found in the National Archives. It was written by junior officers of La Vengeance, as Captain Pitot was too ill or injured to write his report until much later.
 
The French Frigate La Vengeance was the very same frigate that fought the US Frigate Constellation in February of the same year. Vengeance was very powerful, having been designed with long 24-pounders on her main deck when launched, just like Constellation, but at one point swapped them out for 18-pounders, again, just like Constellation. Her armament has always been in question, but most likely consisted of thirty long 18-pounders on the main deck, two of them being shifting guns which fought either through the quarter gallery ports or were used a stern chase guns. Examination of the draught of her captured sister ship, La Resistance, shows a gunport in place of a proper gallery door, suggesting that the unusually narrow gallery might have been a false one. On her spar deck, she mounted fourteen 12-pounders, two of them standing stern chase guns, eight 36-pounder brass carronades, and eight swivels in the waist: fifty-two guns total. HMS Seine, formerly the French La Seine, was armed as a standard 38-gun British frigate of the era. Here is the letter:
 
 
"2 Fructidor ( 20 August), at noon, we were bearing as follows:
 
North  Point of Mona E.S.E.
Middle of Monisto E.S.E., 4 degrees E.
 
Passing out from St. Domingue and Porto Rico, we perceived a large ship, which we took to be a frigate, to which a corvette was signalling.
 
The Corvette lay E.S.E, 3 degrees south
The ship, S.E. by E.
 
It was calm, with what wind there was in the North East, our course being south by east, with all studding sails set on the port side, our intentions being to get away from shore, and out of sight of a third ship to the north east, which appeared of good size.
 
Weather clear, all hands at quarters, and ready for any emergency. We were short of compliment by 71 hands, and among the crew were thirty negroes, who had never been to see before. During the night of 2-3 Fructidore (20-21 August), the wind was variable from E.N.E. to E. S. E. The enemy had a decided advantage of us. The corvette kept close to the frigate. At 12:15 a.m., the enemy having overhauled us considerably, we Brough our stern chasers to bear, and twice let him have them. At 1:15 he came close aboard and fired one shot at us. Believing we were then within musket shot, the Captain gave orders to man the port battery. At the same instant, we hauled out wind, and fired a broadside at the enemy, who replied immediately. We continued this action for an hour and three quarters, when the enemy dropped astern. We then took in our studding sails, and attempted to work to windward, the frigate's best point of sailing.
 
By the advantage of hauling his wind, the Captain had but one end in view: to conform to his instructions which were imperative, that he should avoid action, and work clear of St. Domingue , which we knew to be blockaded by the British Frigate Aimable, and which we had recognized close aboard some day previous, but which hauled off.
 
At three o'clock a.m., we lost sight of the enemy, but at five, we once more raised her, as well as, shortly after, a schooner crossing ahead. This we recognized as a neutral. At 5:30 a.m. the fore topmast split, carrying away the top-gallant sail and the standing jib. At 6.20, the enemy having once again run close aboard, the combat was renewed. At 6:50, he shortened sail, and at 7 brailed up his mizen topgallant sail; a little time after he took in his jib. We were then heading S.S.W. At 7:10, the enemy took in his studding sails. We then shortened sail, so at not to fall out of range. At 7:20, the enemy brailed his main top-sail to the mast. At once Captain Pitot took in his staysails, in order to keep alongside. At 7:40, the enemy ceased firing, and shortly after, we did the same. From the beginning of the second action, we found ourselves short of bar shot; repeatedly fired broke out between the decks, and on the poop and forecastle; there were frequent failures due to the poor quality of the powder, which became greatly impaired during our fight with the Constellation, when the containers were afloat in the magazine. There was never a chance to dry this out, while the Vengeance lay in Curacao, on account of the rains and dampness. These various incidents will be related by Captain Pitot, in due time. In the thick of the battle, one "Liron", a top man, had his knees smashed in the main top, and came down a stay, hand over hand, to the deck, whence he was carried below, and died a few moments after.
 
We now had a fresh breeze from the east, and we continued to the S.S.W., under all sail possible, in order to give the gunners time to put what little powder remained into the cartridges for the cannon, and to perform necessary repairs; splicing etc.imperatively needed, and es[ecially to rig preventers to our shrouds which were severed fore and aft. We felt sure that the enemy, in these two engagements, had, at least, suffered damage equal to ours and later found evidence to confirm the correctness of our judgment.
 
At 8:00 a.m., the enemy stood toward sand, at 9, when he approached to within pistol shot on our port quarter, we hauled our wind and the combat renewed with the greatest fury. At 9:20, the enemy set his mizzen-top-gallant sail a-shiver and edged off. We followed the maneuver to avoid being raked from ahead and to keep him on our beam. At 10 our mizzen-mast went by the board, shot away eight or nine feet above the poop. At 10:20 our main topmast fell. At 10:25 we found ourselves blanketed in such a way that the enemy was able to brace full and haul ahead and he thus lay himself across our bow.
 
In such a position, offering no hope of maneuvering; many of or people being hors de combat; nine feet of water in the hold; the foremast barely holding; holed in many places; all the shrouds cut away; having only sufficient powder for 83 cartridges; these circumstances, together with the impossibility, of taking the only chance left to us; that of boarding the enemy; forced Captain Pitot to hail the enemy frigate and announce his surrender.
 
It was then 10:30 a.m., and at 10;35 our foremast went by the board. A cutter from the enemy ship came along side and took off Captain Pitot, who, upon gaining the deck, presented his sword to the captain (Milne). He refused to accept it, saying "I could never disarm one who wielded his weapon with so great honor."  The captain replied that he would not keep the sword unless his staff and the infantry officers among the passengers, could retain theirs. The English Captain said that he readily agreed to this, and that his orders would be given.
 
The following morning, the main-mast toppled [over] close to the deck, and from that time, until our arrival at Jamaica, our destination, we were at many times at the point of abandoning ship, on account of the emmense quantity of water she was taking in. We had to put the wounded topside, the water being up to the gun deck.  Since the crew was separated, it is impossible to ascertain the number of killed and wounded, but here follows the names of the officers killed and wounded.
 
Officers of the ship
 
Frey, Lieutenant of the artillery of the frigate, killed
Ayreau, Lieutenant  of the ship. wounded
Marcou, Ensign, wounded
 
Passenger officers
 
Frey, Chief of the Battalion, Killed
Nadau, Chief of the Brigade, wounded
Garcey, Captain of the Infantry, wounded
Desvignes, Captain of the Infantry, wounded
Moreau, Captain of the Infantry, wounded
Ballet, Lieutenant of the Infantry, wounded
 
And there, Citizen Minister, you have an accurate and true account of the various events which occurred during their deplorable, but instructive voyage, just terminated. I am quite sure that if errors are found in this report, they will only be in the dates. Captain Pitot is ill onboard the English Frigate L'Allarme, alone, and we are, therefore, separated from him. He carries all the necessary documents to reveal the truth in its full light."
 
Note: Not signed.
 
Note also. The casualty French figures were thought to be about 35 killed and 70 wounded. Seine had about half as many.
 
 

 
Half model of her sister ship La Resistance:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Which reminded me of when I was a small child who read early. At my grandmother's was a shared toilet off the landing. The 'works' were a Victorian era extravaganza with a highly decorated bowl. I was mildly terrified to read the name of that particular piece of china. It read,  "The Shark". 
 
But we digress!

Manufacture  of the cannon cariages.
 
Karl
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

La Volage – 1693 (English Edition)
‘A long bark of the western Ocean’
Written and prepared by Jean-Claude Lemineur
Published and available from Ancre from €112 (depending on plan scale)
 

 
This new monograph is concerned with the study of a long bark, the Volage, built in Dunkirk in 1693, in the middle of the War of the Great Alliance by René Levasseur, the first master shipwright who succeeded Hendrick who died in 1689. The Volage was a warship of Louis XIV French Royal Navy. Armed with ten 4-pdrs, with a burthen of 50 tons and a 50-man crew, she was one the biggest of her class with a length of 63 1⁄2 feet. In the Navy records of 1696 to 1702, reported as being good, and even sharp under sail. Really built for privateering, she possessed nautical properties that allowed her to overtake her prey, and therefore, to be highly appreciated by Dunkirk privateers.

It was aboard a similar bark that Jean Bart began his talented career as a privateer captain in 1674 during the conflict with the United Provinces of the Low Countries. The Volage participated in the guerrilla warfare initiated by Vauban and from 1693, by the Royal Navy itself against English trading fleets, within the framework of the War of the Great Alliance. Her activities probably continued during the War of Spanish Succession. Ordinarily, she insured the safety of the French coasts, protecting merchant vessels from piratical raiding. Her missions extended to the protection of fishing fleets on the Newfoundland Grand Banks. She was stricken from the Navy list in 1706, hauled ashore and rebuilt at Dieppe, probably for a private ship owner.
Adapted and Taken from Ancre’s La Volage information sheet.
 
MSW recently received a pack of three titles from French specialist publisher, Ancre. La Volage is the first of these I will look at. From the outset, this is an impressive set for the collection. Here is an overview of the title: 

 
Presentation of the book.
The book is presented in a blue fabric-covered 24cm x 31cm box containing a 104-page brochure that includes the sources, history and plates in a reduced scale, along with commentaries and a 16-page colour brochure containing details of rigged and timbered models, as well as the 31 plates at the 1/26th scale necessary to build the structure.
 
Chapters
 
Chapter 1: History and origins of the long bark. The Volage’s own characteristics Chapter 2: The careers of the Dunkirk master shipwrights. List of the barks built from 1671 to 1727 Chapter 3: The use of the sources and determination of the underwater hull lines. Volumetric characteristics of the underwater hull Notes and decoration and paint of the shipwright. Chapter 4: Study of the rigging. Notes on the masts, sails and blocks Chapter 5: Commentaries on the 31 reduced plates Chapter 6: Routing of the rigging lines  
 
List of the plates 
 
Plate N° 1 Schematic elevation and body plans Plate N° 2 Schematic plan view Plate N° 3 Construction of the stern Plate N° 4 Construction of the hawse pieces Plate N° 5 Midship frame and forward frames 1 to 4 Plate N° 6-11 Frames 6 – 11 Plate N° 12 Timbered elevation Plate N° 13 Lengthwise section Plate N° 14 - 16 Cross sections at some frames  Plate N° 17 Plans of accommodation Plate N° 18 Plan of the bilge Plate N° 19 Plan of the empty deck Plate N° 20 Plan of the deck with furniture Plate N° 21 Plan of the deck and castles Plate N° 22 Plan of the finished deck and castles Plate N° 23 Bare elevation Plate N° 24 Dressed elevation Plate N° 25 Front view of the stern Plate N° 26 Construction of the head and the ship's boat  Plate N° 27 Furniture and artillery Plate N° 28 Masts Plate N° 29-30 Sails and boat's frames  Plate N° 31 The Volage under sail  
What is a Monograph?
If you’ve never seen a Monograph before, the idea is that you practically receive as much information about a subject as is possible to need to be able to build a specific vessel, plus having the historical content to hand to digest too. They really are a delight, even if you are only a collector, and without the ability or means to translate the information into a finished model ship.





If you do want to look at creating something from the sheer mass of information given in La Volage, your finished hull will have these dimensions, scale-dependent:
 
1:24
Length: 100cm (fully rigged 120cm) Width: 28cm (fully rigged 40cm) Height: 30cm (fully rigged 110cm)  
1:36
Length: 67cm (fully rigged 80cm) Width: 16cm (fully rigged 27cm) Height: 20cm (fully rigged 74cm)  
1:48
Length: 50cm (fully rigged 60cm) Width: 14cm (fully rigged 20cm) Height: 15cm (fully rigged 55cm)  
La Volage is a little over A4 in size when it comes to the attractive fabric strengthened box in which it’s supplied, and there is quite a bit off weight behind it with the 104-page perfect bound book, printed on extremely high-quality paper and with nice, clear illustration and layout. The 31 sheets of plans (known as plates) are large in this scale, and all are superbly printed with fine lines that measurements can be directly taken from as a comparison.





One could ponder for many hours, weeks and months over the minutiae of detail supplied. A 16-page colour brochure is also included which shows you what La Volage will look like when built, in various stages of construction. Remember of course, that this type of publication will present an actual representation of the vessel that will translate directly into what we call a POF model, but of course with some skills, the lines can be utilised to design your own POB project.





 
Conclusion
Ancre’s monographs really never disappoint in their sheer depth of information, presentation, production quality and of course, subject matter. La Volage is no exception. This really is an exquisite set and with me only ever really having built British ships, it’s extremely interesting to see how the French are in comparison with layout, style, shape etc. La Volage is most certainly a very beautiful barque and one which is less of a lifetime project than something like the Saint Phillipe which I reviewed a couple of years ago. A much more manageable size in 1:48, and even in 1:24 if you have an average size workshop. I certainly won’t comment on display space needed afterwards!
 
Having the colour booklet with a completed model will also not just give inspiration but gives you a rough idea of what you need to be aiming for. The book not only grounds you in the history surrounding the vessel and its origins and protagonists, but also into the construction of what was undoubtedly a beautiful ship. Amazing to think that you can actually build a complete, miniature ship from this set, down to every smallest detail.
 
La Volage – 1693 is available in English, French and Italian languages, and plans are available in 1:24, 1:36, and 1:48 scales. Check out the options on the Ancre website.
 
My thanks to Didier Berti of Ancre, for sending this Monograph out for review here on Model Ship World. To purchase directly, click the link at the top of the article.
 
 
 

The 64-gun ship was used heavily by both the French and the British and many were built on both sides.  As models go, there aren't that many models or plans out there for this class.    Le Fleuron is a beautiful ship and a great example of the French ships of this class.

Might it not be that the original purpose was to handle the jeers of the foreyard when needed? Guessing etymologically.

This is pure speculation, Frolick.  Yard and foresail handling maybe?  Loading and unloading ship's boats and possibly rations, cargo, etc.?  

On many draughts of French warships, from 74s down to flush deck ship-sloops, there is a separate single capstan on the forecastle, called a "fore jeer capstan". They are not just French items, as the builder's draught of the US Frigate Essex of 1799 shows one too. I had read that they were considered old fashioned by 1800. Question. What was it's function? It takes up valuable space and adds considerable weight over the forefoot, French hulls being notoriously tender forward, so it must have been important. What could it do that the main capstan couldn't? 

This account was translated by officers of the US Army War College in 1939, the transcript of which was found in the National Archives. It was written by junior officers of La Vengeance, as Captain Pitot was too ill or injured to write his report until much later.
 
The French Frigate La Vengeance was the very same frigate that fought the US Frigate Constellation in February of the same year. Vengeance was very powerful, having been designed with long 24-pounders on her main deck when launched, just like Constellation, but at one point swapped them out for 18-pounders, again, just like Constellation. Her armament has always been in question, but most likely consisted of thirty long 18-pounders on the main deck, two of them being shifting guns which fought either through the quarter gallery ports or were used a stern chase guns. Examination of the draught of her captured sister ship, La Resistance, shows a gunport in place of a proper gallery door, suggesting that the unusually narrow gallery might have been a false one. On her spar deck, she mounted fourteen 12-pounders, two of them standing stern chase guns, eight 36-pounder brass carronades, and eight swivels in the waist: fifty-two guns total. HMS Seine, formerly the French La Seine, was armed as a standard 38-gun British frigate of the era. Here is the letter:
 
 
"2 Fructidor ( 20 August), at noon, we were bearing as follows:
 
North  Point of Mona E.S.E.
Middle of Monisto E.S.E., 4 degrees E.
 
Passing out from St. Domingue and Porto Rico, we perceived a large ship, which we took to be a frigate, to which a corvette was signalling.
 
The Corvette lay E.S.E, 3 degrees south
The ship, S.E. by E.
 
It was calm, with what wind there was in the North East, our course being south by east, with all studding sails set on the port side, our intentions being to get away from shore, and out of sight of a third ship to the north east, which appeared of good size.
 
Weather clear, all hands at quarters, and ready for any emergency. We were short of compliment by 71 hands, and among the crew were thirty negroes, who had never been to see before. During the night of 2-3 Fructidore (20-21 August), the wind was variable from E.N.E. to E. S. E. The enemy had a decided advantage of us. The corvette kept close to the frigate. At 12:15 a.m., the enemy having overhauled us considerably, we Brough our stern chasers to bear, and twice let him have them. At 1:15 he came close aboard and fired one shot at us. Believing we were then within musket shot, the Captain gave orders to man the port battery. At the same instant, we hauled out wind, and fired a broadside at the enemy, who replied immediately. We continued this action for an hour and three quarters, when the enemy dropped astern. We then took in our studding sails, and attempted to work to windward, the frigate's best point of sailing.
 
By the advantage of hauling his wind, the Captain had but one end in view: to conform to his instructions which were imperative, that he should avoid action, and work clear of St. Domingue , which we knew to be blockaded by the British Frigate Aimable, and which we had recognized close aboard some day previous, but which hauled off.
 
At three o'clock a.m., we lost sight of the enemy, but at five, we once more raised her, as well as, shortly after, a schooner crossing ahead. This we recognized as a neutral. At 5:30 a.m. the fore topmast split, carrying away the top-gallant sail and the standing jib. At 6.20, the enemy having once again run close aboard, the combat was renewed. At 6:50, he shortened sail, and at 7 brailed up his mizen topgallant sail; a little time after he took in his jib. We were then heading S.S.W. At 7:10, the enemy took in his studding sails. We then shortened sail, so at not to fall out of range. At 7:20, the enemy brailed his main top-sail to the mast. At once Captain Pitot took in his staysails, in order to keep alongside. At 7:40, the enemy ceased firing, and shortly after, we did the same. From the beginning of the second action, we found ourselves short of bar shot; repeatedly fired broke out between the decks, and on the poop and forecastle; there were frequent failures due to the poor quality of the powder, which became greatly impaired during our fight with the Constellation, when the containers were afloat in the magazine. There was never a chance to dry this out, while the Vengeance lay in Curacao, on account of the rains and dampness. These various incidents will be related by Captain Pitot, in due time. In the thick of the battle, one "Liron", a top man, had his knees smashed in the main top, and came down a stay, hand over hand, to the deck, whence he was carried below, and died a few moments after.
 
We now had a fresh breeze from the east, and we continued to the S.S.W., under all sail possible, in order to give the gunners time to put what little powder remained into the cartridges for the cannon, and to perform necessary repairs; splicing etc.imperatively needed, and es[ecially to rig preventers to our shrouds which were severed fore and aft. We felt sure that the enemy, in these two engagements, had, at least, suffered damage equal to ours and later found evidence to confirm the correctness of our judgment.
 
At 8:00 a.m., the enemy stood toward sand, at 9, when he approached to within pistol shot on our port quarter, we hauled our wind and the combat renewed with the greatest fury. At 9:20, the enemy set his mizzen-top-gallant sail a-shiver and edged off. We followed the maneuver to avoid being raked from ahead and to keep him on our beam. At 10 our mizzen-mast went by the board, shot away eight or nine feet above the poop. At 10:20 our main topmast fell. At 10:25 we found ourselves blanketed in such a way that the enemy was able to brace full and haul ahead and he thus lay himself across our bow.
 
In such a position, offering no hope of maneuvering; many of or people being hors de combat; nine feet of water in the hold; the foremast barely holding; holed in many places; all the shrouds cut away; having only sufficient powder for 83 cartridges; these circumstances, together with the impossibility, of taking the only chance left to us; that of boarding the enemy; forced Captain Pitot to hail the enemy frigate and announce his surrender.
 
It was then 10:30 a.m., and at 10;35 our foremast went by the board. A cutter from the enemy ship came along side and took off Captain Pitot, who, upon gaining the deck, presented his sword to the captain (Milne). He refused to accept it, saying "I could never disarm one who wielded his weapon with so great honor."  The captain replied that he would not keep the sword unless his staff and the infantry officers among the passengers, could retain theirs. The English Captain said that he readily agreed to this, and that his orders would be given.
 
The following morning, the main-mast toppled [over] close to the deck, and from that time, until our arrival at Jamaica, our destination, we were at many times at the point of abandoning ship, on account of the emmense quantity of water she was taking in. We had to put the wounded topside, the water being up to the gun deck.  Since the crew was separated, it is impossible to ascertain the number of killed and wounded, but here follows the names of the officers killed and wounded.
 
Officers of the ship
 
Frey, Lieutenant of the artillery of the frigate, killed
Ayreau, Lieutenant  of the ship. wounded
Marcou, Ensign, wounded
 
Passenger officers
 
Frey, Chief of the Battalion, Killed
Nadau, Chief of the Brigade, wounded
Garcey, Captain of the Infantry, wounded
Desvignes, Captain of the Infantry, wounded
Moreau, Captain of the Infantry, wounded
Ballet, Lieutenant of the Infantry, wounded
 
And there, Citizen Minister, you have an accurate and true account of the various events which occurred during their deplorable, but instructive voyage, just terminated. I am quite sure that if errors are found in this report, they will only be in the dates. Captain Pitot is ill onboard the English Frigate L'Allarme, alone, and we are, therefore, separated from him. He carries all the necessary documents to reveal the truth in its full light."
 
Note: Not signed.
 
Note also. The casualty French figures were thought to be about 35 killed and 70 wounded. Seine had about half as many.
 
 

 
Half model of her sister ship La Resistance:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This account was translated by officers of the US Army War College in 1939, the transcript of which was found in the National Archives. It was written by junior officers of La Vengeance, as Captain Pitot was too ill or injured to write his report until much later.
 
The French Frigate La Vengeance was the very same frigate that fought the US Frigate Constellation in February of the same year. Vengeance was very powerful, having been designed with long 24-pounders on her main deck when launched, just like Constellation, but at one point swapped them out for 18-pounders, again, just like Constellation. Her armament has always been in question, but most likely consisted of thirty long 18-pounders on the main deck, two of them being shifting guns which fought either through the quarter gallery ports or were used a stern chase guns. Examination of the draught of her captured sister ship, La Resistance, shows a gunport in place of a proper gallery door, suggesting that the unusually narrow gallery might have been a false one. On her spar deck, she mounted fourteen 12-pounders, two of them standing stern chase guns, eight 36-pounder brass carronades, and eight swivels in the waist: fifty-two guns total. HMS Seine, formerly the French La Seine, was armed as a standard 38-gun British frigate of the era. Here is the letter:
 
 
"2 Fructidor ( 20 August), at noon, we were bearing as follows:
 
North  Point of Mona E.S.E.
Middle of Monisto E.S.E., 4 degrees E.
 
Passing out from St. Domingue and Porto Rico, we perceived a large ship, which we took to be a frigate, to which a corvette was signalling.
 
The Corvette lay E.S.E, 3 degrees south
The ship, S.E. by E.
 
It was calm, with what wind there was in the North East, our course being south by east, with all studding sails set on the port side, our intentions being to get away from shore, and out of sight of a third ship to the north east, which appeared of good size.
 
Weather clear, all hands at quarters, and ready for any emergency. We were short of compliment by 71 hands, and among the crew were thirty negroes, who had never been to see before. During the night of 2-3 Fructidore (20-21 August), the wind was variable from E.N.E. to E. S. E. The enemy had a decided advantage of us. The corvette kept close to the frigate. At 12:15 a.m., the enemy having overhauled us considerably, we Brough our stern chasers to bear, and twice let him have them. At 1:15 he came close aboard and fired one shot at us. Believing we were then within musket shot, the Captain gave orders to man the port battery. At the same instant, we hauled out wind, and fired a broadside at the enemy, who replied immediately. We continued this action for an hour and three quarters, when the enemy dropped astern. We then took in our studding sails, and attempted to work to windward, the frigate's best point of sailing.
 
By the advantage of hauling his wind, the Captain had but one end in view: to conform to his instructions which were imperative, that he should avoid action, and work clear of St. Domingue , which we knew to be blockaded by the British Frigate Aimable, and which we had recognized close aboard some day previous, but which hauled off.
 
At three o'clock a.m., we lost sight of the enemy, but at five, we once more raised her, as well as, shortly after, a schooner crossing ahead. This we recognized as a neutral. At 5:30 a.m. the fore topmast split, carrying away the top-gallant sail and the standing jib. At 6.20, the enemy having once again run close aboard, the combat was renewed. At 6:50, he shortened sail, and at 7 brailed up his mizen topgallant sail; a little time after he took in his jib. We were then heading S.S.W. At 7:10, the enemy took in his studding sails. We then shortened sail, so at not to fall out of range. At 7:20, the enemy brailed his main top-sail to the mast. At once Captain Pitot took in his staysails, in order to keep alongside. At 7:40, the enemy ceased firing, and shortly after, we did the same. From the beginning of the second action, we found ourselves short of bar shot; repeatedly fired broke out between the decks, and on the poop and forecastle; there were frequent failures due to the poor quality of the powder, which became greatly impaired during our fight with the Constellation, when the containers were afloat in the magazine. There was never a chance to dry this out, while the Vengeance lay in Curacao, on account of the rains and dampness. These various incidents will be related by Captain Pitot, in due time. In the thick of the battle, one "Liron", a top man, had his knees smashed in the main top, and came down a stay, hand over hand, to the deck, whence he was carried below, and died a few moments after.
 
We now had a fresh breeze from the east, and we continued to the S.S.W., under all sail possible, in order to give the gunners time to put what little powder remained into the cartridges for the cannon, and to perform necessary repairs; splicing etc.imperatively needed, and es[ecially to rig preventers to our shrouds which were severed fore and aft. We felt sure that the enemy, in these two engagements, had, at least, suffered damage equal to ours and later found evidence to confirm the correctness of our judgment.
 
At 8:00 a.m., the enemy stood toward sand, at 9, when he approached to within pistol shot on our port quarter, we hauled our wind and the combat renewed with the greatest fury. At 9:20, the enemy set his mizzen-top-gallant sail a-shiver and edged off. We followed the maneuver to avoid being raked from ahead and to keep him on our beam. At 10 our mizzen-mast went by the board, shot away eight or nine feet above the poop. At 10:20 our main topmast fell. At 10:25 we found ourselves blanketed in such a way that the enemy was able to brace full and haul ahead and he thus lay himself across our bow.
 
In such a position, offering no hope of maneuvering; many of or people being hors de combat; nine feet of water in the hold; the foremast barely holding; holed in many places; all the shrouds cut away; having only sufficient powder for 83 cartridges; these circumstances, together with the impossibility, of taking the only chance left to us; that of boarding the enemy; forced Captain Pitot to hail the enemy frigate and announce his surrender.
 
It was then 10:30 a.m., and at 10;35 our foremast went by the board. A cutter from the enemy ship came along side and took off Captain Pitot, who, upon gaining the deck, presented his sword to the captain (Milne). He refused to accept it, saying "I could never disarm one who wielded his weapon with so great honor."  The captain replied that he would not keep the sword unless his staff and the infantry officers among the passengers, could retain theirs. The English Captain said that he readily agreed to this, and that his orders would be given.
 
The following morning, the main-mast toppled [over] close to the deck, and from that time, until our arrival at Jamaica, our destination, we were at many times at the point of abandoning ship, on account of the emmense quantity of water she was taking in. We had to put the wounded topside, the water being up to the gun deck.  Since the crew was separated, it is impossible to ascertain the number of killed and wounded, but here follows the names of the officers killed and wounded.
 
Officers of the ship
 
Frey, Lieutenant of the artillery of the frigate, killed
Ayreau, Lieutenant  of the ship. wounded
Marcou, Ensign, wounded
 
Passenger officers
 
Frey, Chief of the Battalion, Killed
Nadau, Chief of the Brigade, wounded
Garcey, Captain of the Infantry, wounded
Desvignes, Captain of the Infantry, wounded
Moreau, Captain of the Infantry, wounded
Ballet, Lieutenant of the Infantry, wounded
 
And there, Citizen Minister, you have an accurate and true account of the various events which occurred during their deplorable, but instructive voyage, just terminated. I am quite sure that if errors are found in this report, they will only be in the dates. Captain Pitot is ill onboard the English Frigate L'Allarme, alone, and we are, therefore, separated from him. He carries all the necessary documents to reveal the truth in its full light."
 
Note: Not signed.
 
Note also. The casualty French figures were thought to be about 35 killed and 70 wounded. Seine had about half as many.
 
 

 
Half model of her sister ship La Resistance:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This account was translated by officers of the US Army War College in 1939, the transcript of which was found in the National Archives. It was written by junior officers of La Vengeance, as Captain Pitot was too ill or injured to write his report until much later.
 
The French Frigate La Vengeance was the very same frigate that fought the US Frigate Constellation in February of the same year. Vengeance was very powerful, having been designed with long 24-pounders on her main deck when launched, just like Constellation, but at one point swapped them out for 18-pounders, again, just like Constellation. Her armament has always been in question, but most likely consisted of thirty long 18-pounders on the main deck, two of them being shifting guns which fought either through the quarter gallery ports or were used a stern chase guns. Examination of the draught of her captured sister ship, La Resistance, shows a gunport in place of a proper gallery door, suggesting that the unusually narrow gallery might have been a false one. On her spar deck, she mounted fourteen 12-pounders, two of them standing stern chase guns, eight 36-pounder brass carronades, and eight swivels in the waist: fifty-two guns total. HMS Seine, formerly the French La Seine, was armed as a standard 38-gun British frigate of the era. Here is the letter:
 
 
"2 Fructidor ( 20 August), at noon, we were bearing as follows:
 
North  Point of Mona E.S.E.
Middle of Monisto E.S.E., 4 degrees E.
 
Passing out from St. Domingue and Porto Rico, we perceived a large ship, which we took to be a frigate, to which a corvette was signalling.
 
The Corvette lay E.S.E, 3 degrees south
The ship, S.E. by E.
 
It was calm, with what wind there was in the North East, our course being south by east, with all studding sails set on the port side, our intentions being to get away from shore, and out of sight of a third ship to the north east, which appeared of good size.
 
Weather clear, all hands at quarters, and ready for any emergency. We were short of compliment by 71 hands, and among the crew were thirty negroes, who had never been to see before. During the night of 2-3 Fructidore (20-21 August), the wind was variable from E.N.E. to E. S. E. The enemy had a decided advantage of us. The corvette kept close to the frigate. At 12:15 a.m., the enemy having overhauled us considerably, we Brough our stern chasers to bear, and twice let him have them. At 1:15 he came close aboard and fired one shot at us. Believing we were then within musket shot, the Captain gave orders to man the port battery. At the same instant, we hauled out wind, and fired a broadside at the enemy, who replied immediately. We continued this action for an hour and three quarters, when the enemy dropped astern. We then took in our studding sails, and attempted to work to windward, the frigate's best point of sailing.
 
By the advantage of hauling his wind, the Captain had but one end in view: to conform to his instructions which were imperative, that he should avoid action, and work clear of St. Domingue , which we knew to be blockaded by the British Frigate Aimable, and which we had recognized close aboard some day previous, but which hauled off.
 
At three o'clock a.m., we lost sight of the enemy, but at five, we once more raised her, as well as, shortly after, a schooner crossing ahead. This we recognized as a neutral. At 5:30 a.m. the fore topmast split, carrying away the top-gallant sail and the standing jib. At 6.20, the enemy having once again run close aboard, the combat was renewed. At 6:50, he shortened sail, and at 7 brailed up his mizen topgallant sail; a little time after he took in his jib. We were then heading S.S.W. At 7:10, the enemy took in his studding sails. We then shortened sail, so at not to fall out of range. At 7:20, the enemy brailed his main top-sail to the mast. At once Captain Pitot took in his staysails, in order to keep alongside. At 7:40, the enemy ceased firing, and shortly after, we did the same. From the beginning of the second action, we found ourselves short of bar shot; repeatedly fired broke out between the decks, and on the poop and forecastle; there were frequent failures due to the poor quality of the powder, which became greatly impaired during our fight with the Constellation, when the containers were afloat in the magazine. There was never a chance to dry this out, while the Vengeance lay in Curacao, on account of the rains and dampness. These various incidents will be related by Captain Pitot, in due time. In the thick of the battle, one "Liron", a top man, had his knees smashed in the main top, and came down a stay, hand over hand, to the deck, whence he was carried below, and died a few moments after.
 
We now had a fresh breeze from the east, and we continued to the S.S.W., under all sail possible, in order to give the gunners time to put what little powder remained into the cartridges for the cannon, and to perform necessary repairs; splicing etc.imperatively needed, and es[ecially to rig preventers to our shrouds which were severed fore and aft. We felt sure that the enemy, in these two engagements, had, at least, suffered damage equal to ours and later found evidence to confirm the correctness of our judgment.
 
At 8:00 a.m., the enemy stood toward sand, at 9, when he approached to within pistol shot on our port quarter, we hauled our wind and the combat renewed with the greatest fury. At 9:20, the enemy set his mizzen-top-gallant sail a-shiver and edged off. We followed the maneuver to avoid being raked from ahead and to keep him on our beam. At 10 our mizzen-mast went by the board, shot away eight or nine feet above the poop. At 10:20 our main topmast fell. At 10:25 we found ourselves blanketed in such a way that the enemy was able to brace full and haul ahead and he thus lay himself across our bow.
 
In such a position, offering no hope of maneuvering; many of or people being hors de combat; nine feet of water in the hold; the foremast barely holding; holed in many places; all the shrouds cut away; having only sufficient powder for 83 cartridges; these circumstances, together with the impossibility, of taking the only chance left to us; that of boarding the enemy; forced Captain Pitot to hail the enemy frigate and announce his surrender.
 
It was then 10:30 a.m., and at 10;35 our foremast went by the board. A cutter from the enemy ship came along side and took off Captain Pitot, who, upon gaining the deck, presented his sword to the captain (Milne). He refused to accept it, saying "I could never disarm one who wielded his weapon with so great honor."  The captain replied that he would not keep the sword unless his staff and the infantry officers among the passengers, could retain theirs. The English Captain said that he readily agreed to this, and that his orders would be given.
 
The following morning, the main-mast toppled [over] close to the deck, and from that time, until our arrival at Jamaica, our destination, we were at many times at the point of abandoning ship, on account of the emmense quantity of water she was taking in. We had to put the wounded topside, the water being up to the gun deck.  Since the crew was separated, it is impossible to ascertain the number of killed and wounded, but here follows the names of the officers killed and wounded.
 
Officers of the ship
 
Frey, Lieutenant of the artillery of the frigate, killed
Ayreau, Lieutenant  of the ship. wounded
Marcou, Ensign, wounded
 
Passenger officers
 
Frey, Chief of the Battalion, Killed
Nadau, Chief of the Brigade, wounded
Garcey, Captain of the Infantry, wounded
Desvignes, Captain of the Infantry, wounded
Moreau, Captain of the Infantry, wounded
Ballet, Lieutenant of the Infantry, wounded
 
And there, Citizen Minister, you have an accurate and true account of the various events which occurred during their deplorable, but instructive voyage, just terminated. I am quite sure that if errors are found in this report, they will only be in the dates. Captain Pitot is ill onboard the English Frigate L'Allarme, alone, and we are, therefore, separated from him. He carries all the necessary documents to reveal the truth in its full light."
 
Note: Not signed.
 
Note also. The casualty French figures were thought to be about 35 killed and 70 wounded. Seine had about half as many.
 
 

 
Half model of her sister ship La Resistance:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This topic has been quiet for a couple of weeks so I will risk extending it at a slight tangent. I am building a British schooner using the Haddock drawings that Druxey mentions above on #3. The Admiralty drawings clearly show that the frames are perpendicular to the keel and this is not surprising given that plumb bobs are and were a readily available technology. What I am surprised by is that structures on the deck and below deck follow these same vertical lines when perpendicular to the water line would be the natural solution. 
 
This snippet from the Admiralty drawing shows the officer's cabin and an entrance lobby with ladder, just aft of the main mast. The waterline is the blue-green line that slopes across the centre of the picture. 

 
I can accept that the end walls of the cabin were built using the frames. However, the ladder has steps that are nearly parallel to the waterline but its sides are perpendicular to the keel. This can be built and a carpenter might scoff at the design but still finish the job. The companionway box above the ladder looks like a dog's dinner. If it has hinged doors facing one bulwark then the shapes of those doors will be compromised by the angle between the sides of the companionway and the deck. Even the skylight above the cabin has sloping ends. 
 
My guess is that the carpenters who built the deck fittings did their jobs after launch and used their own plumb bobs. The walls that they built would be vertical compared to sea level and not the keel. (The sides of the gunports are at 90deg to the deck.) If this is the case then the lines taken from Haddock at Portsmouth might not be correct and the draughtsman simply extended the frame lines by mistake or for expediency. I do not like this conclusion because it throws doubt on the drawings that we use for our models. I do not want to say that the Admiralty drawings are mistaken because it opens a plethora of excuses where we say that drawings are wrong if they do not match our expectations. But I do not want to build a companionway cover that leans back. 
 
George

Best wishes for a swift and painless recovery.
 
On the bright side, you won’t have to go to Latin dance class with her for a while ... 😹

Best wishes for a swift and painless recovery.
 
On the bright side, you won’t have to go to Latin dance class with her for a while ... 😹

Best wishes for a swift and painless recovery.
 
On the bright side, you won’t have to go to Latin dance class with her for a while ... 😹

These are not summaries or dramatic readings of the books, but discussions about the characters, plot twists and impacts the series has had on the literary world. They are really well done, and if you need some appropriate background noise, 'whilst you're widdlin', these might be of interest to you. This series started, with Ian and Mike, about six months ago, and there are currently 35, roughly hour-long episodes, yet they are only up to the book, 'The Ionian Mission'.
 
I urge you all to subscribe to their Youtube Channel. There are only 66 subscribers to date, so maybe we swabbies we can do something about that there low number!
 
Here is episode One, Master and Commander, part 1. Enjoy:
 
 
 
 

Well, these fun podcasts are a year old now, and this week, they started part-one of "The Far Side of the World":
 
 
 

These are not summaries or dramatic readings of the books, but discussions about the characters, plot twists and impacts the series has had on the literary world. They are really well done, and if you need some appropriate background noise, 'whilst you're widdlin', these might be of interest to you. This series started, with Ian and Mike, about six months ago, and there are currently 35, roughly hour-long episodes, yet they are only up to the book, 'The Ionian Mission'.
 
I urge you all to subscribe to their Youtube Channel. There are only 66 subscribers to date, so maybe we swabbies we can do something about that there low number!
 
Here is episode One, Master and Commander, part 1. Enjoy:
 
 
 
 

Well, these fun podcasts are a year old now, and this week, they started part-one of "The Far Side of the World":
 
 
 

This price is a good deal. (Sorry to butt in, Michael  ...) This beautiful ship had a great history:
 
"Short history of her: Built in 1756 at Le Havre and designed by Jean-Joseph Ginoux.She took part in the Battle of Quiberon Bay and was eventually captured by the British in January 1761 by the HMS Unicorn.
 
She was recommisioned as part of the Royal Navy in July 1761 with the name HMS Flora and was paid off in 1762 or 1763.
 
Recommissioned in 1771 for Channel service.  Sailed for Kronstadt on 2 June 1772, to deliver the new ambassador. Captain John Brisbane recommissioned her in December 1775. He then sailed Flora for North America on 29 April 1776. On 8 July 1777, Flora recaptured the Fox, which the Americans had captured a month earlier. On 30 May 1778 she sailed to support an attack at Fall River Massachusetts. On 30 July 1778 she was trapped among with other British ship in Narrngansett Bay.The captain ordered the naval vessels to land their guns, men, and stores for the benefit of the garrison at Newport. Flora was in the inner harbour and on 5 August Brisbane scuttled her in shallow water
 
After the Americans recaptured Newport, they some time later refloated and repaired her. They sailed her to Bordeaux where the French Navy bought her in September 1784; she was known as Flore américaine, to distinguish her from Flore, built since. The French Navy refitted her in between January and May 1786. Then in 1787 Flore americaine was renamed Flore. The next year the Navy re-rated her as a corvette, and rearmed her with 8-pounder guns. The Navy struck her from the lists and hulked her at Rochefort in May 1789, disarming her some two years later, and then selling her on 4 July 1792. Her new, private owners, renamed her Citoyenne Française in April 1793. They commissioned her as a privateer out of Bordeaux in May. The French Navy requisitioned her in August, but then returned her to her former owners in December 1795. Her owners again deployed her as a privateer.
 
On 8 September 1798 she was captured by  HMS Phaeton and HMS Anson. When captured she was described as a frigate of 36 guns and 255 men. Flore was then sold for breaking up."

This price is a good deal. (Sorry to butt in, Michael  ...) This beautiful ship had a great history:
 
"Short history of her: Built in 1756 at Le Havre and designed by Jean-Joseph Ginoux.She took part in the Battle of Quiberon Bay and was eventually captured by the British in January 1761 by the HMS Unicorn.
 
She was recommisioned as part of the Royal Navy in July 1761 with the name HMS Flora and was paid off in 1762 or 1763.
 
Recommissioned in 1771 for Channel service.  Sailed for Kronstadt on 2 June 1772, to deliver the new ambassador. Captain John Brisbane recommissioned her in December 1775. He then sailed Flora for North America on 29 April 1776. On 8 July 1777, Flora recaptured the Fox, which the Americans had captured a month earlier. On 30 May 1778 she sailed to support an attack at Fall River Massachusetts. On 30 July 1778 she was trapped among with other British ship in Narrngansett Bay.The captain ordered the naval vessels to land their guns, men, and stores for the benefit of the garrison at Newport. Flora was in the inner harbour and on 5 August Brisbane scuttled her in shallow water
 
After the Americans recaptured Newport, they some time later refloated and repaired her. They sailed her to Bordeaux where the French Navy bought her in September 1784; she was known as Flore américaine, to distinguish her from Flore, built since. The French Navy refitted her in between January and May 1786. Then in 1787 Flore americaine was renamed Flore. The next year the Navy re-rated her as a corvette, and rearmed her with 8-pounder guns. The Navy struck her from the lists and hulked her at Rochefort in May 1789, disarming her some two years later, and then selling her on 4 July 1792. Her new, private owners, renamed her Citoyenne Française in April 1793. They commissioned her as a privateer out of Bordeaux in May. The French Navy requisitioned her in August, but then returned her to her former owners in December 1795. Her owners again deployed her as a privateer.
 
On 8 September 1798 she was captured by  HMS Phaeton and HMS Anson. When captured she was described as a frigate of 36 guns and 255 men. Flore was then sold for breaking up."

This price is a good deal. (Sorry to butt in, Michael  ...) This beautiful ship had a great history:
 
"Short history of her: Built in 1756 at Le Havre and designed by Jean-Joseph Ginoux.She took part in the Battle of Quiberon Bay and was eventually captured by the British in January 1761 by the HMS Unicorn.
 
She was recommisioned as part of the Royal Navy in July 1761 with the name HMS Flora and was paid off in 1762 or 1763.
 
Recommissioned in 1771 for Channel service.  Sailed for Kronstadt on 2 June 1772, to deliver the new ambassador. Captain John Brisbane recommissioned her in December 1775. He then sailed Flora for North America on 29 April 1776. On 8 July 1777, Flora recaptured the Fox, which the Americans had captured a month earlier. On 30 May 1778 she sailed to support an attack at Fall River Massachusetts. On 30 July 1778 she was trapped among with other British ship in Narrngansett Bay.The captain ordered the naval vessels to land their guns, men, and stores for the benefit of the garrison at Newport. Flora was in the inner harbour and on 5 August Brisbane scuttled her in shallow water
 
After the Americans recaptured Newport, they some time later refloated and repaired her. They sailed her to Bordeaux where the French Navy bought her in September 1784; she was known as Flore américaine, to distinguish her from Flore, built since. The French Navy refitted her in between January and May 1786. Then in 1787 Flore americaine was renamed Flore. The next year the Navy re-rated her as a corvette, and rearmed her with 8-pounder guns. The Navy struck her from the lists and hulked her at Rochefort in May 1789, disarming her some two years later, and then selling her on 4 July 1792. Her new, private owners, renamed her Citoyenne Française in April 1793. They commissioned her as a privateer out of Bordeaux in May. The French Navy requisitioned her in August, but then returned her to her former owners in December 1795. Her owners again deployed her as a privateer.
 
On 8 September 1798 she was captured by  HMS Phaeton and HMS Anson. When captured she was described as a frigate of 36 guns and 255 men. Flore was then sold for breaking up."

I would like to sell a plan set of the frigate Flore. Three sheets, a photo of the Model, informational pamphlet in French and cover. All in good shape.
$35.00 postage included PAYPAL Continental US only.

Happy...