USS Constellation vs L'Insurgente

Background. USS Constellation was a nominally rated 38-gun wooden-hulled, three-masted frigate of the United States Navy, one of the original six frigates authorized by the Naval Act of 1794. Built under David Stodder's direction at the Joseph and Samuel Sterett shipyard on Harris Creek in Baltimore's Fell's Point, she was launched on 7 September 1797, just as the United States entered the Quasi-War with revolutionary France. After convoying American merchantmen from June through August 1798, she sailed under Captain Thomas Truxtun for the West Indies in December 1798 to protect US commerce in the Caribbean.

The Engagement. On 9 February 1799, under Truxtun's command, Constellation fought and captured the frigate L'Insurgente of 36 guns, described as the fastest ship in the French Navy. The battle began about 18 miles (29 km) northeast of the island of Nevis around midday, when Constellation spotted L'Insurgente, which hoisted studding sails and attempted to flee. L'Insurgente's 12-pounders proved inadequate against Constellation's hull, contributing to the French frigate's defeat.