THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 1, 1995 TAG: 9509010612
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: GUY FRIDDELL
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
On Tuesday, please salute Adm. Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse, who stood 6-foot-2 and, it was said, ``6-foot-6 on days of battle.''
His stature was highest during the naval battle between the French and the British off the Virginia Capes on Sept. 5, 1781.
His French fleet blocked the Chesapeake Bay and barred British warships from rescuing Gen. Cornwallis' English troops after they were encircled at the port of Yorktown by American and French soldiers under Washington's command.
``Washington's success depended on keeping Cornwallis bottled up, and de Grasse was the cork in the bottle - and it was a bottle with a very large mouth,'' historian Broadus Mitchell said.
De Grasse's part ``was as great as the forces that attacked Yorktown by land'' in the final major battle of the Revolutionary War, which ended with the British surrender on Oct. 19, 1781.
Before that sea battle, writes Michael Lewis, the creation of the United States of America was possible; after the battle ``it was certain.''
Two events will celebrate the ``coup de Grasse'' off Cape Henry. On Tuesday at 2 p.m., the Alliance Francaise society will place a wreath at the de Grasse statue by the sand dunes at Fort Story.
On Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. the Alliance will host a reception at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum inside Nauticus. Tickets are $11 for Alliance members, $13 for nonmembers and $8.50 for students.
Any day, you can drop by the Naval Museum. Admission is free. Just tell ticket-takers at Nauticus you wish to go to the museum on the second floor. Tell 'em I sent you.
De Grasse's role began at Santo Domingo when he received a dispatch from French Gen. Rochambeau, traveling with Washington, to send some of his ships to aid the Americans, who were ``at the end of their resources.''
Daring de Grasse postponed escorting a convoy of merchant ships. He turned his entire fleet toward the Chesapeake, pausing on the way to pick up more money and soldiers for the Americans. He showed breathtaking elan. Along with ships, soldiers and money, he put his career on the line.
``I have thought myself authorized to take everything on myself for the common cause,'' de Grasse declared. ``I have read with great sadness the distress in which the Americans find themselves.''
Stunned to find the French had beaten them to the Chesapeake Bay, the British fleet, under Adm. Thomas Graves, let them slip into the open sea. The two fleets grappled all day, drifting as they fought, until they were off the Carolina coast.
Early next morning, de Grasse set sail and again beat the British to the Chesapeake Bay. They gave up and returned to New York.
The cork was in the bottle.
The battle was won.
Raise a glass to de Grasse! ILLUSTRATION: Drawing
Adm. Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse
by CNB