La Paix
Sloop · Pirate (French origin) · Lost 1700 · Chesapeake Bay
The French pirate sloop La Paix surrendered to the Royal Navy frigate HMS Shoreham after a bloody twelve-hour battle in Virginia's Lynnhaven Bay in 1700.
Become Captain of RecordSee Shipwreck on Map
The Vessel and Her Loss
Commanded by French pirate Louis Guittar, La Paix preyed on merchant shipping in the Chesapeake Bay in early 1700, sinking several vessels. Chased into Lynnhaven Bay, Virginia, she fought Royal Navy frigate HMS Shoreham for twelve hours before Guittar, threatening to blow up his own powder magazine, surrendered on condition of quarter. Guittar and many of his men were later hanged in London.
Vessel
- Not established
- Not established
- Saint-Malo, France (vessel's origin)
- Wood
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Sail
- Captained by Louis Guittar
Loss
- May 3, 1700
- Enemy action
- Lynnhaven Bay, Virginia
- Chesapeake Bay / Lynnhaven Bay
- Not established
- Not established
- 150
- 26
- Louis Guittar
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 36.90° N 76.08° W
- Approximate position
- Lynnhaven Bay, Virginia
General location of Lynnhaven Bay, where the battle and surrender took place; no confirmed wreck site.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Partially documented (60/100)
The vessel's fate after surrender to the Crown, and whether she was retained, condemned, or broken up, is not established in the sources reviewed.
Narrative of the Guittar-Shoreham battle and its background.
Summary of Guittar's career and the battle, drawing on Jamie L.H. Goodall's research.
