1800 — Sep 20, USS Insurgent lost (W. Indies gale?) after leaving Hampton Roads, VA–340

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 1-29-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–340  US Dept. Navy. “Casualties: US Navy and Marine Corps Personnel Killed and Injured…”

Narrative Information

Naval History and Heritage Command, U.S. Navy. Insurgent: “Insurgent, formerly the French frigate L’Insurgente, was captured by 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….

“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 Vendemaire 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.”

U.S. Dept. Navy. “Casualties: US Navy and Marine Corps Personnel Killed and Injured…”

“Frigate USS Insurgent lost with all hands, presumably in a gale after leaving Hampton Roads on 8 Aug. 1800, bound for the West Indies. Approximately 340 drowned. 20 Sep. 1800.” 

Sources

Naval History and Heritage Command, U.S. Navy. Insurgent. Accessed 1-29-2024 at: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/i/insurgent.html

United States Department of the Navy, Naval Historical Center. Casualties: US Navy and Marine Corps Personnel Killed and Injured in Selected Accidents and Other Incidents Not Directly the Result of Enemy Action. Washington, DC: Washington Navy Yard. Accessed 1-29-2024 at:  http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/accidents.htm