Oiseau was a privateer brig from Nantes, commissioned in May 1797. She had a short, but highly successful career. In her three to four months of cruising, before the Royal Navy captured her, "Oiseau"'s captured eight prizes, seven of which were not recaptured. Her first prize required a single ship action. Her prizes had a cumulative value of Livres 1,168,150.
1st cruise (May–June).
"Oiseau" was under the command of Jacques Breton (or Le Breton), and had a complement of 100 men.
The slave ship , Robert Pince, master, sailed from Liverpool on 14 May 1797, bound for Africa. In late May she encountered a British warship that warned Pince that a French privateer brig was in the vicinity. He decided to look for the privateer. On 1 June, "Britannia" encountered "Oiseau". In the ensuing engagement "Britannia" had one man killed and several wounded, and suffered much damage before she struck after an hour's combat. "Lloyd's List" reported that a French privateer had captured "Britannia", and "Elizabeth", Crellin, master, from Liverpool to Martinique, and had taken them into Nantes. When "Britannia" reached Nantes her cargo of trade goods sold for Livres 67,680.
On 15 June "Oiseaux" returned to Nantes with "Cowley", a three-masted vessel of 400 tons. There, the 360 barrels of sugar, casks of coffee, staves, and cacao stowed in her hold were valued at Livres 465,009. "Lloyd's List" reported that "Oiseau" had captured "Cowley", George, master, as "Cowley" was sailing from San Domingo to London. "Oiseau" prevailed after a two-hour fight and sent "Cowley" into Minden.
2nd cruise (July–August).
"Oiseau" was again under the command Le Breton.
On 4 August, "Cunningham", of four guns, arrived in the Loire. Her cargo of charcoal was sold for Lives 9,940. "Lloyd's List" reported that a French privateer had captured "Cunningham", from Greenock, off Cape Clear.
On 9 August, two more prizes to "Oiseau" entered the Loire.
"Joseph", a brig of 125 tons, was carrying some barrels of oil and seal skins. Her cargo was valued at Livres 7,120. "Lloyd's List" reported that a French privateer had captured "Joseph", Tullock, master, near Cape Clear, as she was sailing from Newfoundland to Poole.
"Columbia", was an American vessel carrying a cargo of sugar, coffee, tobacco, and hides. "Oiseau" captured "Columbia" on 2 August. Although the United States was neutral, "Columbia" was condemned for defective papers, in particular, for not having a crew list. Her cargo was valued at Livres 468,601. "Lloyd's List" reported that a French privateer had captured "Columbia", Lathrop, master, and taken her into Nantes. "Columbia" had been sailing from New York to Hamburg.
On 5 September "Daphne" came into the Loire. She brought the news that "Oiseau" had been captured. Her cargo of salted goods was valued at Livres 150,000. "Lloyd's List" reported that the French privateer "Oiseau" had captured "Daphne", Keatley, master, as "Daphne" was sailing from Limerick to London.
Capture.
On 21 August 1797, HMS "Penguin", Commander John King Pulling, saw two vessels sailing towards her. They were flying the British flag, but then revealed themselves to be French. Within half-an-hour of an exchange of fire the rearmost struck. However, the seas were too rough for Pulling to take possession, and the other vessel was larger, so Pulling set off after her. A running fight lasting one hour and 40 minutes ensued before the second French vessel struck. She turned out to be the French privateer corvette "Oiseau", pierced for 20 guns but carrying sixteen 9-pounder guns and two long French 12-pounder guns. She had a crew of 119 men, of whom one was killed and five wounded in the pursuit.
Pulling then went back to recapture the first vessel, which was trying to escape. She turned out to be "Express", of Dartmouth, which "Oiseau" had captured. "Express" had been the French privateer "Appocrate", of 12 guns, that had been captured a few months earlier.
Pulling reported that "Oiseau" had been at sea for 34 days and had captured three prizes, including "Express". "Lloyd's List" reported that "Express", Pearson, master, had been taken and retaken on her way from London to Newfoundland, and had arrived at Cork.
"Oiseau"'s prizes had a cumulative value of Livres 1,168,150.
Citations.
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