USS Duc de Lauzun (1782)

History
Name: USS Duc de Lauzun
Namesake: Armand Louis de Gontaut, Duc de Lauzun
Acquired: October 1782
Fate: Lent to France, April 1783, later sold
General characteristics
Type: Transport
Armament: 20 cannon
Service record

USS Duc de Lauzun was an armed transport vessel of 20 guns that served the Continental Navy from 1782 when she was bought until 1783 when she was sold in France.

Service

Formerly a British customs ship, "USS Duc De Lauzun was purchased in October 1782 at Dover, England, and outfitted in Nantes, France.

Robert Morris, Agent of Marine, acquired Duc de Lauzun in October 1782 in payment for a debt.[1]

Under the command of Captain John Green Naval Officer Continental Navy.In January 1783 she was dispatched from Philadelphia, Pa., to bring home 72,000 Spanish milled dollars from Havana for the American Government. Clearing Havana 6 March escorted by the Continental ship Alliance under the command of Captain John Barry, she sailed for home with her precious cargo. On their passage north the two ships encountered two men-of-war whom they evaded. Under orders to deliver the cargo at all costs the Alliance distanced herself from the Duc de Lauzun which was laden with the silver, and much needed cargo bound for America causing the two Man O' War to close on Green's vessel. After consulting, the two captains agreed that Green would abandon most of his cannon, and transfer most of the silver to the Alliance. The Duc was still too slow, and Barry gave the orders to abandon the Duc, and sail away with the silver, sealing the fate of Green, and the sailors on the Duc. Courageously Captain Green opened fire with what cannon he had against the Man O' War with another closing quickly. The Duc de Lauzon was a transport outfitted with 20 cannon far inferior to the Alliance, and the Man O'Wars, and without most of her cannon. Barry witnessing the events, and the fact that Green was one of his closest friends turned the Alliance in the defense of the Duc. Positioning the Alliance between the Duc and the Man O' War delivered a broadside volley crippling the British vessel in which they gave a hasty retreat. Barry, still insistent on following orders at the risk of the Duc and its crew, left Green and his crew, and their smaller transport to their own fate without cannon, and still laden with a fortune of much needed goods. With good fortune the Duc was able to sail up the coast, and sail safely into Philadelphia with the help of the Alliance in which the Duc had caught up with. Barry lured British vessels away from the entrance of Delaware Bay allowing Green to sail up the Delaware to Philadelphia.

Barry publicly questioned his close friend on the accusation of Captain Green's self-interest in the incident due to captain's privilege slowing the Duc during the voyage. The cargo on board the Duc amounted to a small fortune nearly the same amount as the silver. The cargo owed to several investors was critical to the economy, and supplied much needed supplies to the colonies.Captain Green during the voyage,and subsequent battle was never to abandon his cargo,and the lives of his men. Captain Green expressed his anger to Barry in a meeting at sea questioned Barry's decision to leave the Duc defenseless without cannon, and abandoning his fellow sailors and the much needed cargo. The Duc was the first to fire in the battle owing to Captain Green's uncommon valor in the face of certain death for him, and his men while Barry was sailing away. Only the sight of having to watch the destruction of the Duc led Barry to get involved in the battle in which he performed valiantly. Captain Green was exonerated of any wrongdoing in which his so-called good friend had implied.Captain Green still considered John Paul Jones,Gustavus Cunningham,Peter Hodgekinson, and John Barry his closest friends after the war. The battle was the last of the war, and a decisive victory for America. The Duc de Lauzun and her crew performed valiantly willing to stand against two Man O' War under risk of certain death in defense of our fledgling nation. The following year Captain Green was chosen by Robert Morris to Captain The Empress of China, and be the first vessel to fly the flag of the United States of America, and sail to China establishing trade between the two countries vital to the growth and prosperity of the nation.

In April 1783 the United States government lent her to France to carry home French troops.[2] Before, she had one more mission: to carry Benjamin Franklin to France carrying the news of Cornwallis's surrender.

The last French forces in America, (Lauzun's Legion and the siege artillery) embarked at Wilmington (Delaware) on 11 May 1783 on the frigates Astrée, Danaé, Gloire, plus the transport Saint James and the Duc de Lauzun.

Fate

On 21 April 1783, Congress instructed Robert Morris to arrange for the sale of Duc De Lauzun when she arrived in France. She was sold there at the end of 1783.[3]

Citations

  1. ↑ USNI Proceedings, (1905), Vol. 31, Issue 2, p. 669.
  2. ↑ USNI Proceedings, (1905), Vol. 31, Issue 2, p.674.
  3. ↑ Demerliac (1996), p.115, #814.

References

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