“We H Ave Occasioned A Good Deal Of Terror”: The War At Sea

• Main Author: Ferling, John
• Format: Book Part
• Language: unknown
• Published: Oxford University PressNew York, NY 2007
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195181210.003.0016; https://academic.oup.com/book/chapter-pdf/53074096/isbn-9780195181210-book-part-16.pdf

Abstract The new American-built Alliance, a thirty-six-gun frigate, eased out of Boston harbour early in January 1779. France was its destination. The Alliance made the Atlantic crossing in the uncommonly rapid time of twenty-six days, but its voyage was not uneventful. Near Newfoundland it almost foundered in a merciless storm that tore off the main topmost. Later, the English among its mixed crew mutinied. Their hope was to take the commandeered vessel and its most famous passenger, General Lafayette, to England, where they hoped to find a hero’s welcome and a monetary reward. But the uprising was suppressed, with the help of the sword-wielding Lafayette, and thirty-eight mutineers were clasped in irons. Not a day too soon the lookout spotted Brittany on the western coast of France, and Alliance limped into port at Brest.