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Hey, Whatever Happened to That De Grasse Fellow Anyway? the Fate of America's Favorite French Admiral After the Battle of the Virginia Capes by Hunt Lewis

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Hey, Whatever Happened to That De Grasse Fellow Anyway? the Fate of America's Favorite French Admiral After the Battle of the Virginia Capes by Hunt Lewis alj Volume 5, Issue 1 November-December 1998 I A Newsletter for the Supporters of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum Hey, Whatever Happened to That De Grasse Fellow Anyway? The Fate of America's Favorite French Admiral After the Battle of the Virginia Capes by Hunt Lewis ur Admiral is six feet tall on finally recognized American and to the King (King Louis XVI that ordinary days, and six feet six independence. is), everyone got to matters of on battle days," said one of his During the five days following the De Grasse continued on page 6 sailors. This six foot-two admiral, Battle of the Capes on Sept. 5, Franyois-Joseph Paul, Comte de 178 I, the British and French Grasse, Marquis de Grasse-Tilly, was fleets continued to jockey for increasingly known as the leader of the the weather gauge off the French fleet that repulsed the British Virginia Capes, but the British in the Battle of the Capes. This victory avoid action. De Grasse's fleet blocked reinforcements being sent to reentered Lynnhaven Bay on Gen. Cornwallis' s army at Yorktown; the II"'· The British under Adm. thus setting the stage for the Franco­ Graves, withdrew towards New American victory there a month later. York the following day, having In most U.S. histories and U.S. realized "the impracticability of Naval histories, the Comte de Grasse giving any effectual succor to disappears after the Battle of the Capes. Gen. Earl Cornwallis." After all, in our often myopic view he On Sept. 17, Gens. is French, therefore, after he ceased to Washington, Rochambeau, be of help to us, what happened to him Henry Knox, the Marquis de La is not our concern. But it should be. Fayette, Lt. Col. Alexander His later misfortune during another sea Hamilton, and Governor battle gave him a chance to be Benjamin Harrison arrived instrumental in bringin.g about the aboard the flower-bedecked Treaty of Paris on Sept. 3, 1783, which and freshly painted Ville de ended the almost world-wide war Paris to confer with de Grasse . .--..""'-•"· between France and Britain and their On hearing de Grasse's greeting • allies. It was in this treaty, that Britain of "My dear little General" to Gen. Washington, some said Inside The Day Book that Henry Knox could not The Director's Column ............... 2 maintain the gravity ofthat first meeting, and laughed so hard Adm. Franr;ois-Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse as he With the Great De Grasse .......... 4 that his rather rotund sides appearedinal782Englishnewspap~r. Thoughhewasth_eir Volunteer News and Notes ......... 9 enemy, de Grasse became a celebnty among the English The Museum Sage..................... lO shoke. royalty and was very well treated. (HRNM photo ofa 1782 After toasts to Independence London Magazine engraving.) The Daybook Nov.-Dec. 1998 Dive into History The Director's Column ....,.,. _ _,_._ by Becky Poulliot y the time you receive this issue of The Daybook, HRNM Bcivilian, military, and docent staff will be undertaking their first go round at a new educational program for 3,000 sixth graders. Each one of the students are being taught on-site in the museum within a 30 day period. Yes, an average of 100 students arrive each morning in three groups. Museum staff are embarking on this program in conjunction with Nauticus, filling one thirty minute segment of the Center's three-part educational program that is loosely based on the Henrietta Marie travelling exhibit. Students from Azalea Gardens Middle School atlempl /o determine if the artifact is from the sloop­ of-war USSCumberland (Photo by Gordon Calhoun) Our museum provides a direct Navy tie in with the late 17'h century slave later was sunk in Hampton Roads "hot" right now with the release of the ship exhibit. As our current show "The during the Civil War. movie Titanic. With the help of Africa Squadron" demonstrates, it was The Cumberland's connection to education consultant Mike Taylor, we the U.S. Navy's job to prevent slave Hampton Roads and the museum' s have created a program where the ships from reaching this country. One deep interest in preserving its artifacts children join an underwater of the Africa Squadron's flagships was provide the focus for this educational archaeology firm to find the the sloop-of-war Cumberland, which program. Underwater archeology is Cumberland. Props and interaction are the key. Six graders are extremely intelligent and yet bore easily, requiring 4lit:NAVAi*MuSEUM a fast paced format. Stop by the museum to see this program before it Local History. World Events. ends on Nov. 24. About The Day Book HRNM Staff Programs like this sixth grade The Day Book is an authorized publication of the endeavor would not be possible Hampton Roads Naval Museum (HRNM). Its contents do Director without the assistance of our not necessarily reflect the official view of the U.S. Becky Poulliol volunteers. A big show of appreciation Curator Government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy or for their efforts comes on Jan. 28, 1999 the U.S. Marine Corps and do not imply endorsement thereof. Joe Judge The HRNM is a museum dedicated to the study of 220 years Education Specialist when the Hampton Roads Naval of naval history in the Hampton Roads region. The museum Bob Malleson Historical Foundation hosts a volunteer is open daily from I 0 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Exhibits Specialist recognition dinner. Mark your Marla Nelson The Day Book's purpose is to educate and inform readers calendars! A planning committee is on historical topics and museum related events. It is written Museum Technician by the staff and volunteers of the museum. Ofelia Elbo working on an evening of elegant • Questions or comments can be directed to the Hampton HRNMOIC dining and entertainment. Bring your Roads Naval Museum editor. The Day Book can be reached Ensign Rod Hartsell dancing shoes if you like swing music. HRNM LPO/TPU Admin. at (757) 322-2993, by fax at (757) 445-1867, e-mail at See page 9 for more information. Look [email protected], or write The Day Book, Hampton FC I (SW) Mike Rosa Roads Naval Museum, One Waterside Drive, Suite 248, Editor ojThe Day Book for your invitations right after New Norfolk, VA 23510-1607. The museum can be found on the Gordon Calhoun Years'. Till then, Happy Holidays! World Wide Web at http://naval-station.norfolk.va.us/ Director, HRNHF navy.html. The Day Book is published bi-monthly with a Maj.Gen.Dennis Murphy, ;d:c:.l!u circulation of I ,200. Contact the editor for a free subscription. USMC (Ret) 2 The Daybook Nov.-Dec. 1998 TN A'fY PUT' EM ACROS$ '-.::::: The Service for Trave and Training And Now You Have the Opportunity to Tell the World About It! The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is currently looking for new docents. If you are interested in U.S. Naval history, the HRNM is the place for you. Classes start on February 16. r::tfj=' Call Bob Matteson at 757-322-2986 for more information . • Local History. World Events. 3 The Daybook Nov.-Dec. 1998 An American Among the Great de Grasse by Preston Turpin ost among the discussions of the Virginia Capes' campaign and L its larger than life personalities is a Virginia merchant captain by the name of John Sinclair. This Hampton Roads-native led a life that is usually only portrayed in novels. He was a merchant captain, a messenger, a pirate, and possibly a pilot in the American Revolution's most important \ naval battle. John Sinclair was a native of what is now Hampton, VA, which at that time was part of one of the original counties of Virginia named Elizabeth City. His father was a sea captain and merchant. Like many colonists, \ \ Sinclair's father held a great dislike for \ \ the British and was an ardent patriot. \ \ It would follow that his son would also fall into that category. In 1776, the \\ \ younger Sinclair was 22 years old and Based on conversations with Sinclair 's decedents and other research material, historian Claude full of himself as a rather headstrong Lancia no produced this drawing ofCapt . John Sinclair. (19 74 drawing used with permission from person. He was, however, to all Claude 0. Lancia no, Jr. ) accounts an extremely intelligent and sell at a profit. Sinclair spent most of and crew to deliver the urgent message. quick-witted person. his time, however, sneaking cargo out Virginia officials turned to Sinclair to At this time there was no money to (specifically indigo) of the Caribbean accomplish this mission. Sinclair's establish either a Navy or persons to on his ship Molly. He later left Molly blockade-running activities had earned train a group to mount a defense against and took over the schooner Nicholson. him a very good reputation throughout the mighty Royal Navy. Accordingly, Sinclair continued his privateer the colony as a natural choice. Sinclair individual states formed their own career up to 1780. At this time, the reported to Lafayette. They navies to act against the British. young French general Marquis de immediately took to one another. Virginia was one of the leading states Lafayette and American leader Gen. Lafayette shared all the messages with in forming its own navy and one of the Nathaniel Greene were falling back Sinclair and cautioned him to jettison leading shipbuilding states as well. through North Carolina before the them should he be approached by the (See Vol. 2 Issue 3 of The Daybook for forces of Lord Cornwallis.
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