Forte-class frigate

The Forte class was a class of two large frigates of the French Navy, designed in 1794 by François Caro. They carried 30 24-pounder long guns as their main battery and 20 x 8 pdrs on the quarterdeck and forecastle; they were exceptionally large and powerful heavy frigates for their time.

• Forte

Builder: Lorient

Begun: 30 May 1794

Launched: 26 September 1794

Completed: November 1794

Fate: Captured by the British Navy on 1 March 1799, became HMS Forte, wrecked in January 1801 in the Red Sea.

• Égyptienne

Builder: Toulon

Begun: 26 September 1798

Launched: 17 July 1799

Completed: November 1799

Fate: Captured by the British Navy on 2 September 1801, became HMS Egyptienne, sold for breaking up 30 April 1817

• 
  Plans of the hull of Forte

Forte class

Portrait of Égyptienne by Jean-Jacques Baugean
Class overview
Name	Forte
Builders	Lorient, Toulon
Operators	French Navy  Royal Navy
Preceded by	Résistance class
Succeeded by	Romaine class
Completed	2
General characteristics [1]
Type	50-gun frigate
Tonnage	1,012 tons (port measurement); 2,042 tons displacement
Length	52 m (170 ft 7 in) (gundeck); 48 m (157 ft) (keel)
Beam	13 m (42 ft 8 in)
Draught	5.85 m (19 ft 2 in)
Depth of hold	5.66 m (18 ft 7 in)
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	30 × 24-pounder long guns (in the upper deck) 20 × 8-pounder long guns (6 on the forecastle, 14 on the quarterdeck) 4 × 36-pounder carronades[2]