French frigate Alcmène (1774)
Alcmène was 26-gun frigate of the French Navy, designed by Doumet, lead ship of her class. She notably took part in the War of American Independence.
| History | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Alcmène |
| Ordered | 27 September 1772 [1] |
| Builder | Toulon [1] |
| Laid down | May 1773 [1] |
| Launched | 14 June 1774 [1] |
| Captured | 20 October 1779 by the Royal Navy |
| Fate | Sold 1784 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Alcmène-class frigate |
| Type | frigate |
| Tons burthen | 500 to 950 tonnes |
| Length | 40.3 metres |
| Beam | 10.4 metres |
| Depth of hold | 4.8 metres |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Armament | 26 × 12-pounder long guns |
Career
In 1775, Alcmène cruised in the Caribbean with the 18-gun corvette Flèche. In 1776, she was under Suffren.[1]
In 1778, she was part of the French expeditionary forces to America, under Bonneval, and blockaded Rhodes Island. [1] In August, she destroyed a British corvette and two galley, along with Aimable.[1]
On 16 August 1779, Alcmène was sent to escort a convoy, along with the 64-gun Protecteur and the 50-gun Fier. A storm scattered the escort and damaged Alcmène, which had to throw most of her guns overboard to stay afloat. On 20 October 1779, as Alcmène was nearing Martinique, she encountered HMS Proserpine which captured her.[1]
Fate
The British took Alcmène in service as HMS Alcmene. She was sold in 1784.[1]
Citations
- Roche (2005), p. 31.
References
- Lacour-Gayet, Georges (1910). La marine militaire de la France sous le règne de Louis XVI. Paris: Honoré Champion. pp. 431–434.
- Roche, Jean-Michel (2005). Dictionnaire des bâtiments de la flotte de guerre française de Colbert à nos jours. Vol. 1. Group Retozel-Maury Millau. ISBN 978-2-9525917-0-6. OCLC 165892922. (1671-1870)
- Troude, Onésime-Joachim (1867). Batailles navales de la France (in French). Vol. 2. Challamel ainé.