Last Naval Battle
of the American Revolution
"The history of this great nation seems to be fading fast in the minds of our citizens. The sacrifices our forefathers made to give us the freedoms we enjoy have been buried by most of the media these days. Only the brave journalists dare to cover patriotic events - and only brave publishers will print their stories. Political correctness and the “dumbing down†of Americans has all but erased the memories of our glorious fight for freedom. The Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution are presently fighting this trend. We are lobbying state and local governments to bring early American and colonial history back into our classrooms.
Events such as this and are designed to remind everyone of the importance of the American Revolution and the brave men and women who created this wonderful county of ours." - Ben DuBose 1938-2019
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Story of the battle
The Last Naval Battle Captain John Barry left France on December 8, 1782 and arrived in the port of Martinique on January 8, 1783. There he received orders from Robert Morris, dated October 11, 1782, sending him to Havana to pick up "specie for Congress" and deliver the cargo to Philadelphia. Despite the long wait for the orders, Captain Barry prepared his ship for the journey.1 Along the way during his cruise to Havana, the Alliance had spotted various vessels just off the horizon, but was never quite able to identify them or give chase. Ultimately he realized that several British vessels were patrolling the waters and more than once he had to use the speed of the Alliance to avoid capture.
On March 10, 1783 two Continental Navy ships the Duc De Lauzun and the Alliance were in route from Havana Cuba to Philadelphia with 72,000 Spanish coins along the east coast of Florida when three British warships the Sybil, the Alarm and the Tobago spotted the Continental ships. With the Duc De Lauzun being loaded with the precious cargo, Captain John Green could not out run the British. The Sybil caught up to the Duc De Lauzun and exchanged gunfire. Mean-while Captain John Barry maneuvered the Alliance between the Duc De Lauzun and British war-ship Sybil. Once the Alliance was alongside the Sybil and just yards away, he ordered his crew to fire upon the Sybil. Being outgunned, the Sybil changed course and followed the other British ships Alarm and Tobago.
This Year - Sat. March 16, 2024. - Event will be held at the Veteran's Memorial Center at 400 South Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island FL
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Color Guard Unit, & Wreath Laying Reservation FORM & other Information on presenting wreaths by your group or by individuals at this event. for wreath placement. |
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2008
Event Photo 2008 Ceremony Summary of activities and group participation.
Links to photo compilations by other photographers: Phil Wright (SAR), Phil
Hinman(SAR),
Jo Compton (DAR), and Ray Osborne. |
