HMS Marie Antoinette (1793) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 France |
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| Name | Marie Antoinette |
| Namesake | Marie Antoinette, Queen of France |
| Fate | Requisitioned 1793 at Saint-Domingue |
 France |
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| Name | Convention Nationale |
| Acquired | By requisition 1793 |
| Captured | By a squadron under Commodore John Ford at Môle-Saint-Nicolas in September 1793 |
 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Marie Antoinette |
| Fate | Crew mutinied and took her to a French port in the West Indies on 27 December 1797 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 10-gun schooner |
| Tons burthen |
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| Length |
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| Beam |
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| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Two-masted schooner |
| Complement | 50 |
| Armament |
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HMS Marie Antoinette was a small, fast warship called a 10-gun two-masted sloop. It was first built in France and named Marie Antoinette. During the French Revolution, the French Navy took it over. They renamed the ship Convention Nationale.
A British group of warships, led by Commodore Ford, captured the ship in 1793. The Royal Navy then used it and gave it back its first name, Marie Antoinette. The ship helped with operations around Saint-Domingue (now Haiti). In 1797, some of its crew rebelled and sailed the ship to a French port. What happened to the ship after that is not known.
Contents
The Ship's French Beginnings
The ship started as a merchant schooner named Marie Antoinette. In 1793, during the French Revolution, the French Navy needed more ships. They took control of Marie Antoinette at Saint-Domingue. The ship was then made into a 20-gun corvette (a small warship) and renamed Convention Nationale.
How the British Captured the Ship
British Capture of Convention Nationale
In September 1793, French people who supported the old monarchy asked for help. Commodore Ford's British squadron attacked areas in the Caribbean, including Saint-Domingue. On September 23, 1793, the British captured four merchant ships. Later, on September 29, they captured seven more.
At Môle-Saint-Nicolas, on September 23, several British ships were involved. These included HMS Europa, HMS Goelan, and HMS Flying Fish. They captured the schooner Convention Nationale. At the time, the ship was under the command of a French officer named Mons. Anquetin.
After its capture, Commodore Ford put Lieutenant John Perkins in charge of the ship. Perkins was known as a very active and watchful officer. The ship was renamed Marie Antoinette and officially joined the British Royal Navy on May 12, 1794.
In 1794, Marie Antoinette became part of a squadron led by Rear-Admiral John Ford. This group of ships worked with Brigadier-General John Whyte. Together, they briefly captured the city of Port-au-Prince. Records show that Marie Antoinette did not play a big role in this battle. However, about 45 ships in the harbor were captured as prizes.
In 1796, Marie Antoinette was part of a smaller group of ships. This group captured two other ships, the schooner Charlotte and the brig Sally. Lieutenant Perkins stayed as the ship's captain until early 1797. He was then promoted to command another ship, the 14-gun brig Drake.
The Ship's Mutiny and Final Mystery
The Crew's Rebellion
After Lieutenant Perkins left, Lieutenant John McInerheny took command of Marie Antoinette. On July 7, 1797, some of the ship's crew rebelled. Their leader was the quartermaster, a man named Mr. Jackson. The rebellious crew took control of the ship. They made sure the remaining officers and loyal crew members could not stop them.
The mutineers then sailed Marie Antoinette to Gonaïves. This was a French port in Saint-Domingue. The British later managed to capture one of the mutineers, William Jacobs. In February 1799, he was punished for his actions.
What Happened Next?
The exact fate of Marie Antoinette after the mutiny is not known. Most of the crew's fate is also a mystery. This mutiny was similar to another famous rebellion that happened later that same year. In September, the crew of HMS Hermione also rebelled against their captain. They took their ship to an enemy port in Venezuela.
