Prince de Neufchatel

(Aquarius AQ-S-3)

Notes: Owned by Madame Flory Charretton. Letter-of-marque issued to her son-in-law J.Ordronaux, 28 Oct 1813. Sent to France and fitted out as a privateer at Cherbourg.
Service: At sea in March 1814 she took nine prizes in the English Channel, and then another six in June. She was chased by 17 British men-of-war during her cruises, but her great speed allowed her to escape each time. Refitted at Boston in Sep 1814. In Oct 1814 she had a bloody battle with boats from the British frigate Endymion with heavy casualties on both sides, but she again escaped. Madame Charretton having passed away, the Neufchatel was purchased for $21,000 by Ordronaux and two other trustees, J.H.Beylle and Peter E. Frevall, who were issued a new letter-of-marque 12 Dec 1814. Shortly after her next sailing, she was sighted on 28 Dec by the British frigate Newcastle and two other frigates and finally caught after an all-day pursuit in a heavy gale. She was sent to England to be surveyed for purchase into the Royal Navy, but she was damaged in dry dock, and sold off. Her lines were reportedly later used in the design of a famous opium-smuggler, the Red Rover.