USS General Greene (1799)

The second USS "General Greene" was a frigate in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France.

"General Greene" was built under government contract by Banjamin Talman and James de Wolf, Warren, Rhode Island; launched 21 January 1799; and placed under command of Captain Christopher R. Perry. A young midshipman, Oliver Hazard Perry, was assigned to his father's ship.

The frigate sailed 2 June 1799, joining "Governor Jay" in convoying five merchantmen bound to Havana. Damage suffered in a heavy gale caused her to put in at Havana for repairs. Her crew was struck down with yellow fever. More than 20 perished and she returned to Newport, Rhode Island, on 27 July with 37 men in various stages of recovery. After a thorough cleaning, fumigation, and change of ballast, she departed Newport 23 September 1799 to take station at Cap Francois, San Domingo.

"General Greene" remained on San Domingo Station for the following 6 months. In company with "Boston" 1 December 1799, she assisted in the capture of schooner "Flying Fish" and retook the American schooner "Weymouth" captured by French privateer "Hope". Much of her time was spent watching over the rebellion against General Toussaint in Haiti. She blockaded the port of Jaemel to cut off supplies of the revolutionist. The frigate gave direct gunfire support to General Toussaint's army in the capture of Jaemel 27 February 1800. She remained there as a possible haven for American citizens until 27 April; then sailed with two representatives sent by General Toussaint for audience with the President of the United States, John Adams. Touching New Orleans, Louisiana, she embarked General James Wilkinson and his family for transport home. She then proceeded as escort to 12 merchantmen bound to Havana, thence to Newport, where she arrived 21 July 1800.

"General Greene's" crew was discharged and she remained idle at Newport until Captain Perry was retired under the Peace Establishment Act of 3 April 1801. She was laid up in ordinary at the Washington Navy Yard. The frigate served as a floating sick bay for frigate "Constellation" in 1803 and was reduced to a sheer hulk in 1805.

Her hulk was destroyed by flames 24 August 1814 when the British entered Washington, D. C. during the War of 1812.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/g3/general_greene-ii_.htm