From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships

A flaming torch.

(Brig: t. 300; l. 107'; b. 26'; dph. 11'9"; cpl. 100; a. 2 18-pdr., 10 18-pdr. car.)

The first Flambeau, a brig, was purchased 3 December 1814 as Leader, and fitted out for duty, Lieutenant J. B. Nicholson in command.

Flambeau sailed from New York 20 May 1815 in Commodore Stephen Decatur's squadron, bound for the Mediterranean and the war with Algiers. The squadron raised Gibraltar in mid-June, and proceeding for Algiers, captured the 46-gun frigate Mashuda and the 22-gun brig Estedio. Arriving off Algiers 28 June, Commodore Decatur and the American Consul for the Barbary States negotiated an honorable peace treaty with the Dey within 2 days. The squadron sailed on to Tunis and Tripoli to receive indemnity for prizes given up to the British during the war of 1812, and after a round of visits at Mediterranean ports, sailed from Gibraltar for home 6 October 1815. On the 24th, in a heavy gale, Flambeau became separated from the squadron, and pushed on alone to reach Newport, R.I., 9 November 1815. Three weeks later she arrived at New York where she was placed in ordinary until sold 3 April 1816.

Transcribed by Yves HUBERT (hubertypc@aol.com)