Louisa (Quasi-War privateer)

The Louisa was a merchant ship out of Philadelphia, United States during 1800.

During Quasi-War with the French, the Louisa carried a letter of marque allowing her to act as a privateer. She was armed with twelve six-pound guns and manned by a crew of thirty (including officers).[2]

In August 1800 the ship was attacked off Gibraltar by French privateers from Algeciras.[3] During the battle, the captain, Thomas Hoggard (Thomas Haggard), was wounded and taken below to his cabin. The Louisa eventually fought off the attack and Hoggard was taken ashore at Gibraltar where he died.[4]

The USS Haggard (DD-555) was named in honor of the actions of Louisa's captain and crew off Gibraltar.

Other Louisas

See also

Famous privateers

References

Citations
  1. ^ Abbot, American Merchant Ships and Sailors, p. 42: "INSTANTLY THE GUN WAS RUN OUT AND DISCHARGED".
  2. ^ Hall, "Recollections of a Voyage to Italy", p. 210: "The ship was the Louisa, a letter of Marque, mounting twelve guns, but appearing to have eighteen, six of them being what the sailors called Quakers; that is, very pacific ones, made of wood. She was commanded by Thomas Hoggard, and had a crew of thirty men."
  3. ^ Maclay, A History of the United States Navy, pp. 207-208.
  4. ^ Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, p. 360: "DEATHS ... Issue of November 29, 1800 ... At Gibraltar, of the wounds he received in his gallant action with several privateers and piratical barges, Captain Thomas Hoggard, of the ship Louisa, of Philadelphia."
Bibliography