French ship Flamand

The Flamand was a 56-gun Bordelois-class ship of the line of the French Navy. She was funded by a don des vaisseaux donation from the Estates of Flanders, and built by engineer Léon Guignace on a design by Antoine Groignard. She took part in Suffren's campaign during the American Revolutionary War.[1]

Watercolour portrait of Flamand, by François Roux, commissioned by Willaumez
History
French Navy EnsignFrance
NameFlamand
NamesakeEstates of Flanders
BuilderBordeaux [1]
Laid downOctober 1763 [1]
Launched11 May 1765 [1]
In serviceJuly 1765 [1]
Out of service1785 [1]
FateBroken up 1785
General characteristics
Displacement1100 tonnes [1]
Length50.7 metres [1]
Beam13.8 metres [1]
Draught6.3 metres [1]
PropulsionSail, full-rigged ship
Complement560 men [2]
Armament
ArmourTimber

Career

Completed too late to serve in the Seven Years' War, Flamand was offered to the Ottoman Navy, along with her sister-ship Ferme; however the Ottoman were disappointed by the 100,000 piastres they had to pay for the first ship, and declined to purchase a second one.[1]

Activated for the American Revolutionary War, Flamand was assigned to Suffren's squadron in the Indian Ocean.[1]

At the Battle of Sadras, on 17 February 1782, Suffren ordered the 64-gun Ajax, under René Joseph Bouvet de Précourt, and Flamand, under Cuverville, to attack the British line to leeward. They both maneuvered to this effect, but then Tromelin, on Annibal, countermanded the order by signaling Ajax and Flamand to return to their post in the line of battle. While Ajax obeyed the order, Flamand sailed on and Saint-Félix, of Brillant, requested permission to replace Ajax. [3]

In the Battle of Negapatam, she engaged the much stronger HMS Hero.[1]

Flamand took part in the Battle of Cuddalore the next year; after her commanding officer, Lieutenant Perier de Salvert, was killed, her first officer, Jacques Trublet de Villejégu, assumed command.[1]

The ship was condemned and broken up in 1785.[1]

Citations
  1. Roche (2005), p. 202.
  2. Roche (2005), p. 198.
  3. Cunat (1852), p. 112.

References
  • Cunat, Charles (1852). Histoire du Bailli de Suffren. Rennes: A. Marteville et Lefas. p. 447.
  • Roche, Jean-Michel (2005). Dictionnaire des bâtiments de la flotte de guerre française de Colbert à nos jours 1 1671 - 1870. p. 202. ISBN 978-2-9525917-0-6. OCLC 165892922.
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