Dateline: Wednesday, July 29th, 1778

Action: The French Fleet Arrives - Newport Defenses Bristle
Feverishly, night and day, unresting, men and horses labored putting the town of Newport in a posture of defense. The creaking of carts up and down the steep streets from wharves to storehouses were unceasing. From Mr. Brinley's rope-walk near the corner of Kay street and Bellevue avenue, a wide view of the ocean could be had. The ocean, over the past couple of days, had been quiet.

Mid-Morning - a fleet appears off Point Judith. Onlookers hope fleet is Lord Howe with his reinforcements arriving from New York. Out from the harbor mouth a British sloop of war, probably the Falcon, speeds to examine the stranger vessels. Eager watchers followed her progress.

Noon - The Falcon nearing the approaching armada, breaks out signal flags from her halyards. Not receiving an answer the Falcon fires a welcoming shot into the melting fog. The stranger vessels pay no heed to the welcoming shot nor two others following.

1:00 PM - Flags are seen hoisted up the tall masts of the stranger ships. Catching the faint breeze and unfurling, the white field and gold lillies are displayed, the house of France! The French ships anchor off the entrance to the Bay.

5:00 PM - The Newport Loyal Association is under arms and parading on the mall. The dread of the coming attack is already upon all, citizens and soldiers alike. Two French ships, Aimable and Alcmene sail up the Seconnet, anchoring off Third Beach.

Evening - General Sullivan, notified by swift couriers, hastens on board the fleet. He is received with great respect but is compelled to inform the admiral that an immediate combined assault is impossible. The Continental troops had not yet arrived and, as for the promised militia, most were still at home. The fleet would have to wait until troops could be mustered.


The French Fleet Complement

On April 15th, 1778, d'Estaing sailed from the French Mediterranean base of Toulon with the following squadron:

Ship Guns Commander
Languedoc 80 de Croy
Tonnant 80 Comte de Breugnon, chef d'escadre Comte de Bruyeres
Cesar 74 Comte de Broves, chef d'escadre de Raimondis
Zele 74 Barras de St. Laurent
Hector 74 de Mories-Castellet
Protecteur 74 d'Apchon
Marseillois 74 la Pope-Vertrieux
Guerrier 74 de Bougainville
Vaillant 64 Chabert Cogolin
Provence 64 Desmichels Champorcin
Fantasque 64 de Suffren
Sagittaire 50 d'Albert de Rions


In addition to the above capital ships, there were four frigates, light small boats like Constellation: Chimere, Alcmene, Aimable, and Dauphin. They were 28s.

The fleet carried 9842 seamen and 1542 soldiers. By stripping the ships of their marine riflemen, a landing force of some 4000 might be had.

In February 1778, France had entered into a treaty with the US., and RI would be a testing ground for that new Franco-American alliance.

Admiral d'Estaing


General John Sullivan



SOURCES
[1] Showman, The Papers of General Nathanael Greene, Volume II; January 1777 to October 1778, University of North Carolina Press, 1980

[2] Heritage of Courage, John Peck Rathbun Chapter, Rhode Island Society, Sons of the American Revolution, 1992

[3] James E. Garman, A History of Portsmouth Rhode Island; 1638-1978, Franklin Printing House, 1978

[4] Erich A. O'D. Taylor, Campaign On Rhode Island M.DCC.LXX.VIII, 1928