The Navy Comes of Age

SsgtC

Banned
Not to bad I'd say. It looks like the French got the worst of it, with heavier casualties and most of their fleet either captured or destroyed. On the American side, besides the casualties, what was the status of the fleet? I know the Congress was dismasted, but what about the other ships?
Congress definitely got the worst of it. After the battle, her senior surviving officer was her fourth lieutenant. The First Lieutenant from Hornet was transferred to take command. She was sailed home with the prizes under a jury rig. She was decommissioned and put in dry dock to be repaired. She was not recommissioned until 1800. And anyone who had sailed on her before the battle swore she was never the same after.

Constitution was ordered home for repairs (and to escort the prizes along with Bunker Hill and Constellation). She was back in service by spring 1799. Constellation took slightly longer, but was likewise back in service in 1799. Bunker Hill returned to the Caribbean almost immediately escorting a supply convoy.

Of the rest, most reported as "battle ready" within the next three days. The only exception being Yorktown, which took 5 days. She was sent home a month later when a storm tore out her mizzen mast (undiscovered battle damage). The rest of the fleet was fully repaired within two weeks.
 
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