French frigate Flore (1769)

Flore was a 32-gun frigate of the French Navy, designed by Groignard. She is notable for her scientific voyage in 1771 and 1772, where she tested marine chronometers made by Berthoud, an important step in the History of longitude.[1]

For other ships with the same name, see French ship Flore.

History
France
NameFlore
NamesakeFlora
Ordered9 November 1767[1]
BuilderBrest[1]
Laid downFebruary 1769[1]
Launched11 November 1768[1]
FateSold at Toulon in 1787[1]
General characteristics [1]
Tons burthen540 tonnes
Length40.9 metres
Beam10.6 metres
Draught5 metres
PropulsionSail
Armament
  • 32 guns:
    • 26 × 12-pounders
    • 6 × 6-pounders
ArmourTimber

Career

On 29 October 1771, under Lieutenant Verdun de la Crenne, Flore departed Brest for a scientific voyage intended to test several Marine chronometers:[Note 1] Berthoud's n°8, Le Roy's watches A and S, and another called "petite ronde" which was not competing for the 1773 prize,[3] as well as further chronometers by Arsandeaux and Biesta. Borda and Pingré were part of the expedition. Flore called Cadiz and Tenerriffe, before continuing on to Gorée, Fort Royal, Cap français, Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, and Copenhagen, before returning to Brest.[2]

Flore took part in the War of American Independence under Castellane-Majastre, ferrying letters between Toulon and America in April 1778.[1]

On 22 October 1781, Flore departed Toulon to take part in the Invasion of Minorca. She returned on 30 November.[1]

Fate

Flore was condemned at Toulon, and sold in 1787.[1]

Notes
  1. The voyage followed the inconclusive 1767 expedition of Courtanvaux on Aurore, the 1768 expedition of Cassini on Enjouée, and the 1768-1769 expedition of Fleurieu on Isis.[2]

Citations
  1. Roche (2005), p. 205.
  2. Martin-Allanic (1964), p. 1385, Note 11.
  3. Marguet (1931), p. 173.

References
  • Le Bot, Jean (1983). Les chronomètres de marine français au XVIIIe siècle. Grenoble: Terre & Mer. OCLC 561028596.
  • Marguet, Frédéric (1931). "LES HORLOGES MARINES III. – Les voyages d'épreuves.". Histoire générale de la navigation du XVe au XXe siècle (PDF). Paris: Société d'éditions géographiques, maritimes et coloniales. OCLC 424071897.
  • Martin-Allanic, Jean-Étienne (1964). Bougainville Navigateur et les Découvertes de son Temps (in French). Paris: Presses Universitaires de France. OCLC 729759706.
  • 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.
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