USS Enterprise vs Flambeau

Overview

USS Enterprise vs Flambeau was a single ship action fought in October 1800 during the Quasi-War, and the final battle between French and American forces. During the action, USS Enterprise defeated the French brig Flambeau off the leeward side of the island of Dominica in the Caribbean Sea. Although Enterprise was outgunned by Flambeau, she was still able to take her as a prize after a short battle. The battle helped bring to fame Enterprise's commanding officer, John Shaw, who added the capture of Flambeau to his already long list of French prizes.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The engagement between USS Enterprise and the French brig Flambeau in October 1800 stands as the final battle between French and American forces during the Quasi-War. Despite being outgunned by Flambeau, Enterprise succeeded in taking her as a prize after a short action off the leeward side of Dominica in the Caribbean Sea. The victory added to the reputation of Enterprise's commanding officer, John Shaw, who had already accumulated a substantial record of French prizes during the conflict. As the closing action of the Quasi-War, the engagement marked the end of undeclared naval hostilities between the two republics, a conflict fought almost entirely through single-ship actions and commerce raiding in Caribbean waters.

Tactics

Forces & casualties

Commanders (1)