USS Constellation vs L'Insurgente

9 February 1799, Off Nevis, Leeward Islands

American victory; Insurgente captured

Thomas Truxtun's Constellation sighted the French frigate Insurgente off Nevis. Captain Barreaut tried to escape, but a squall carried away his main topmast, and Constellation came up and fought him broadside to broadside, then crossed his bow and raked him. After about an hour and a quarter, with 29 killed and 41 wounded against two American dead, Barreaut struck. Truxtun took his prize into Basseterre, St Kitts. It was the first victory of the new US Navy over an enemy warship.