La Felicite

[john sefton]

The St Lucia issue of July 1989 does not mention the name of the French ship on the $3.50 stamp showing the arrival of Capt La Crosse at Gros Islet in 1792.
The Musee de la Marine of Paris has supplied the missing name based on the biography of its Captain, La Crosse, who in Dec 1792, was sent from France, sailing in LA FELICITE, to the West Indies to preach the principles of the Revolution.
Whereas he was refused landing in Martinique and Guadeloupe, all St Lucia welcomed him with open arms. So widepread was the support for the Revolution that the names of all the districts were changed to revolutionary ones.
St Lucia earned the name 'La Fidele' because of its support for the principles of the French Revolution.
That honour was given her on April 5 1793 by the French Convention under Robespierre.
The Tricolour flag was hoisted on Morne Fortune by Montdenoix and Linger,two Commissioners from Republican France in 1791.
In 1794 slavery was abolished by the Convention, and in 1795 the freed slaves fought with distinction for revolutionary France.
LA FELICITE took part in the Battle of San Domingo 6 Feb 1806. During the action the COMETE, FELICITE and DILIGENTE having got well to leeward, had hauled to the southward, and as the British Frigates were not ordered to pursue them they all, unfortunately escaped.
FELICITE put to sea on the night of the 15th, and, in spite of a hot pursuit, reached Guadeloupe. They escaped from Basse-Terre on the night of June 14th but were again hotly pursued and on the 18th the FELICITE was overtaken and captured by the LATONA (Br) 38 guns under Capt Hugh Pigot.
Sources: St Lucia, Phil Bureau. Book titled 'Major-operations 1803-1815'. Musee de Marine, Paris.
Log Book April 1990
St Lucia SG1029


(Unfortunately I do not have the stamp)

[aukepalmhof]

January 1785 till April 1786 built in Brest.
04 August 1785 launched as La FÉLICITÉ.
She was designed by Pierre-Alexandre Forfait.
Tonnage estimated 900 (bm) but she was never measured by the Royal Navy.

By the British source is she given as a flute and taken on 18 June 1809 in the Caribbean by HMS LATONA and CHERUB.
Not commissioned in the Royal Navy but sold in July 1809 to General Christophe in Hayti (Haiti), renamed L’AMÉTHYSTE.
Circa 1811 seized by rebels and renamed L’HEUREUSE RÉUNION (44 guns)
03 February 1812 taken by HMS SOUTHAMPTON and given back to General Christophe, renamed again in L’AMÉTHYSTE.
1818 Sold, fate unknown.

Source: British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793-1817 by Rif Winfield.