# USS General Greene (1799)

The second USS General Greene was a frigate in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France.
Named after American Revolution General Nathaneal Greene, she was built under government contract by Benjamin Talman and James De Wolf at Warren, Rhode Island. Launched on 21 January 1799, the frigate was placed under command of Captain Christopher R. Perry. Perry's son, a young midshipman named Oliver Hazard Perry, was assigned to his father's ship.
General Greene sailed on 2 June 1799, joining the Governor Jay in convoying five merchantmen to Havana. Damage suffered in a heavy gale caused her to put in at Havana for repairs, and her crew was struck with yellow fever. More than 20 died and the frigate returned to Newport, Rhode Island, on 27 July with 37 men in various stages of recovery. After a thorough cleaning, fumigation, and change of ballast, she departed Newport on 23 September 1799 to take station at Cap Francois, San Domingo.
General Greene remained off San Domingo for the following six months. In company with USS Boston, on 1 December 1799 she assisted in the recaptured Danish brig "Flying Fish", captured by André Rigaud's barges, but with questionable crewing and other oddities (possibly French owned) and retook the American schooner Weymouth, which had been captured by French privateer Hope. Much of her time was spent watching over the rebellion against General Toussaint in Haiti. She blockaded the port of Jacmel to cut off supplies of the rebels, and gave direct gunfire support to General Toussaint's army in the capture of Jacmel on 27 February 1800. On 2 March, 1800 she detained Danish schooner "William and Mary" and allowed her capture by one of General Toussaint's barges later in the day. On 11 March she captured an unknown French privateer schooner off Jackmel. Some time before 4 April she captured 2 prizes. One of the prizes was schooner "General Toussaint", which Captain Silas Talbot ordered released. She remained at Jacmel as a possible haven for American citizens until 27 April, when she sailed with two representatives sent by General Toussaint for an audience with the President of the United States, John Adams. Stopping at New Orleans, she embarked General James Wilkinson and his family for transport home. General Greene then proceeded as escort for 12 merchantmen bound to Havana, arriving there 22 June. She departed Havana 26 June escorting a convoy of 12 merchantmen. She finally returned to Newport, arriving on 21 July 1800.
General Greene's crew was discharged and the frigate remained idle at Newport, until Captain Perry was retired under the Peace Establishment Act of 3 April 1801. Capt. Richard Derby was ordered to take command in a letter written 2 September, 1800, repealed 8 September. A Court of Enquiry was held on various lapses in obeying Orders and other conduct during the last deployment. Following the enquiry President John Adams ordered Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddart to suspend Perry from the Service for 3 months without pay. Capt. Hugh G. Campbell was ordered to assume command in a letter dated 28 November. after which she was laid up in ordinary at the Washington Navy Yard. In a letter dated 21 July, 1802 Lt. Isaac Chauncey was ordered to take command for an anticipated deployment to the Mediterranean during the First Barbary War. In a letter dated 13 August the order was rescinded and her crew transferred to USS New York. In a letter dated 19 November, 1802 Midshipman George S. Hackley was ordered to take command of her as Sailing Master. She was ordered to serve as a quarantine/hospital ship for frigate USS Constellation in a letter dated 16 March, 1803. On 14 November, 1803 orders were issued to put her in complete repair. She was reduced to a sheer hulk in 1805.
The General Greene was scuttled by burning on 24 August 1814 when British troops captured Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812.