Siege of Curaçao

Invasion of Curaçao

Part of French Revolutionary Wars and the Quasi-War

Date

22 July - 25 September 1800

Location

Curaçao, territory of Batavian Republic

Result

Anglo-American victory

Withdrawal of French forces
British occupation of Curaçao

Belligerents

Guadeloupe

Commanders and leaders

Johan Lausser

Frederick Watkins

Moses Brown

Henry Geddes

Unknown

Strength

American:
2 ship-sloops
U.S. Navy
U.S. Marines
1 gun battery

British:
1 frigate
Royal Navy
Royal Marines

2 brig-sloops
3 schooners
10 additional vessels
At least 1,400 troops, sailors and militia

Casualties and losses

American:
2 wounded
British:
None

150 killed or wounded

Anglo-American victory

France

The Invasion of Curaçao in 1800 during the French Revolutionary Wars was launched by French forces against the Batavian Republic. The French had landed on the island on 22 July, and on 5 September attacked and captured a fort protecting the town of Willemstad, Curaçao. The American consul sent for help, and on 10 September the Dutch governor of the island surrendered to a British frigate, HMS Nereide, who promised to protect the town but did little to help. On 22 September the American sloops USS Patapsco and USS Merrimack arrived, and on 23 September the Patapsco sailed into the harbor and landed troops to reinforce the garrison protecting the town. On 23 September and 24 September the French fired upon the defenders, consequently exchanging cannon and musket fire with them throughout the day and night. Though it appeared a French assault was imminent, French forces left the island during the night. Significantly, the French suffered many killed or wounded in contrast to two American wounded. The British took control of the island, and American forces sailed away.

The island of Curaçao was important to American merchants in the Caribbean, and ships had been stationed near there to guard American interests since the start of the Quasi-War. The sloop USS Patapsco was ordered to sail there in May 1800, and arrived in June and left soon afterwards. No American warships ships were stationed at Curaçao on 23 July when a French fleet arrived from Guadeloupe, consisting of 5 ships and 1,400 troops, sailors and Guadeloupean militia. The French forces landed and their commander demanded the surrender of the forts, which Governor Johan Lausser refused.

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Wikipedia