First 50 Years
During the American Revolution, French Captain Pierre Landais commanded the U.S. frigate Alliance. Having a French officer in charge rubbed American officers the wrong way, and many refused to sail under his command. In response, the French captain requested officers refusing to sail off his ship. Marine Captain Matthew Parke, the senior Marine officer on the vessel, was furious with his decision and warned Landais that if he replaced one American officer, he would need to find a replacement for all. This threat was enough for Landais to rescind his request, but tensions remained high for the following year.
The French Captain’s poor treatment of his crew started to spread, which resulted in a decline in enlistment and an increased desertion rate. To compensate for the shortage, British prisoners were recruited and served as Continental Marines. This decision to use foreign convicts as U.S. troops would cause additional problems.
During a trip across the Atlantic, Americans discovered a mutiny among the English and Irish. Marine Sergeant William Murray was one of the ringleaders, and he was investigated about the uprising. At first, he denied allegations about a mutiny but would eventually open up about the plan. He stated that he, John Savage (Master-at-arms), and 70 other men planned to take the ship and sail her to either Ireland or England. Here is the testimony from Sergeant Murray:
They were to divide themselves into four divisions, the first to take the magazine, the three at the same time to force the cabin, wardroom, and quarter-deck, then to take command of the arm-chests, and in case of opposition, they were to point the fore-castle guns aft and fire them, the guns being 9 pounders and all loaded. The party that was to go to the magazine were to kill the Gunner, Carpenter, and Boat-swain; the other punishments for the other officers and French gentlemen were thus: Captain Landais was to be put in irons and sent in the cutter, without victuals or drink: the Lieutenants were to walk overboard on a plank from the ship side, unless they would take charge of her and navigate the ship into England: the marine officers and the Doctor were to be hanged, quartered, and hove over-board; the sailing Master was to be tied up to the mizenmast, scarified all over, cut to pieces, and hove overboard.
This ruthless testimony was enough to imprison 38 mutineers. When the Alliance returned to the United States from European waters, Landais was dismissed from Naval service and replaced by Captain John Barry.
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