Invasion of Curaçao (1800) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Invasion of Curaçao |
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| Part of the War of the Second Coalition and the Quasi-War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Batavian Republic United States Great Britain (not engaged) |
 France |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Johan Lausser Moses Brown Henry Geddes Frederick Watkins |
 Unknown |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 1 frigate 2 ship-sloops shore defences |
2 brig-sloops 3 schooners 11 additional vessels, 16 in total At least 1,400 troops, sailors and militia |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| American: 2 wounded |
150 killed or wounded Unknown number of ships damaged |
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The Invasion of Curaçao happened in 1800. French forces tried to take over the island of Curaçao from the Batavian Republic. The Batavian Republic was the name for the Netherlands at that time. This event was part of two bigger wars: the War of the Second Coalition in Europe and the Quasi-War between the United States and France.
French soldiers landed on Curaçao on July 22, 1800. By September 5, they attacked and captured a fort that protected the main town, Willemstad. The American representative on the island asked for help. On September 10, the Dutch governor of Curaçao surrendered to a British warship, HMS Nereide. This ship was led by Captain Frederick Watkins.
Later, on September 22, two American warships, USS Patapsco and USS Merrimack, arrived. The next day, the Patapsco sailed into the harbor. It landed soldiers to help defend Willemstad. On September 23 and 24, the French and the defenders exchanged fire. They shot cannons and muskets at each other all day and night. Even though it seemed like the French would attack, they left the island during the night. The French lost many soldiers, while only two Americans were hurt. The British then took control of Curaçao, and the American ships sailed away.
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Why Curaçao Was Important
Curaçao was a very important island for American traders in the Caribbean Sea. Because of this, American warships were often near the island. They protected American business interests during the Quasi-War. This war was an undeclared naval conflict between the United States and France.
In May 1800, the American warship USS Patapsco was ordered to sail to Curaçao. It arrived in June but left soon after. So, on July 23, 1800, no American warships were at Curaçao. That day, a French force from Guadeloupe arrived. They had five ships and about 1,400 soldiers, sailors, and local fighters. The French landed and demanded that the forts surrender. However, Governor Johan Lauffer of Curaçao refused.
The Island Under Attack
By September 5, ten more French ships had arrived with more fighters. The French forces then attacked the forts protecting Willemstad. They managed to capture one fort. They also sent a message threatening to attack any Americans on the island.
The American representative, Benjamin Phillips, sent a messenger to St. Kitts to ask for help. In response, the American ships USS Merrimack and Patapsco were sent to Curaçao on September 14. They arrived on September 22.
Meanwhile, the British had also sent a warship, HMS Nereide, led by Captain Frederick Watkins. Their goal was to stop the French from taking the island. On September 10, the Nereide reached the eastern part of Curaçao. There, it chased away two privateer ships. Privateers were private ships allowed by a government to attack enemy ships. These two privateers retreated into a bay where 15 more privateers were hiding.
Captain Watkins then sailed to Willemstad. He started firing at targets in the town. An American merchant ship soon told the British what was happening. They also said that the Dutch were willing to surrender to the British. This was in exchange for protection from the French. The British landed 20 marines and accepted Governor Lauffer's surrender three days later. However, the French still held two forts near the town. On September 22, before the American ships arrived, the French commander demanded the town surrender within 24 hours.
The Battle for Willemstad
On September 23, to save the town and protect American property, the Patapsco sailed into the harbor. It landed its marines, who were joined by 20 marines from the Merrimack. These troops also helped man a gun battery and spread out through the town.
Around 5:00 PM, the French forts and soldiers began firing at the defenders. The Patapsco's cannons fired back, along with the muskets and cannons of the defending forces. Two Americans were wounded during this fight. The French suffered about 150 soldiers killed or wounded.
On September 24, the French again exchanged cannon and musket fire with the defenders. The large amount of French firing made the defenders expect a full attack on the town. However, during the night, the French left their positions and sailed away from the island.
What Happened Next
On the morning of September 25, the Merrimack discovered that the French ships had left during the night. The Nereide then sailed into the harbor, and the surrender of the island to the British officially took effect.
Captain Watkins thought the French might return. He asked the two American captains to patrol the eastern side of the island. This would allow the Nereide to secure the island. For ten days, the Americans patrolled and captured only one French ship. They then stopped at Willemstad before returning to Saint Kitts.
When the Americans returned to Curaçao, they found that Captain Watkins had not kept his promise. Instead of protecting American property, he had stopped 41 ships in the harbor from leaving. Seven of these ships were American. Watkins also took a large amount of money belonging to the American representative, Consul Phillips. He also sent out privateers with orders to seize American ships.
In his official reports, Watkins completely ignored the help the Americans had given in taking the island. He did not even mention they were there during the battle. However, British officials did not approve of how Watkins treated the Americans. When a new commander was appointed for the British Jamaica naval base, Watkins was removed from his command. The money he had seized was returned.
