Louisa (Quasi-War privateer)
The Louisa was an American merchant ship that gained fame in 1800 while sailing as a privateer out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during Quasi-War with France.
The owners of the Louisa obtained a letter of marque that authorized her captain to act against French merchant shipping during the war. She was armed with twelve six-pound guns and manned by a crew of thirty men (including officers).
In August 1800 she was attacked off Gibraltar by several French privateers that sailed out of Algeciras, in North Africa. Her captain, Thomas Hoggard (Thomas Haggard), was wounded and taken below to his cabin. However, the Louisa fought off the attack, and Hoggard was taken ashore at Gibraltar, where he subsequently died.
The USS Haggard (DD-555) was named in honor of the bravery of the Louisa's captain and crew in the action off of Gibraltar.
Other Louisas
Louisa. Privateer out of Baltimore, War of 1812.
Louisa. Privateer out of Buenos Aires, taken over by crew, October 1818, to be used for piracy.
