French ship Scipion (1778)

Scipion was a French warship of the 18th century, lead ship of her class. She was completed in 1779.

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

Scipion raking HMS London during the action of 18 October 1782.
History
Ensign of the French Royal NavyFrance
NameScipion
Launched17 September 1778
Honours and
awards
FateRan aground 1782
General characteristics
Class and typeScipion-class ship of the line
Tons burthen1,500 tonnes
Length53.8 m (177 ft)
Beam14.1 m (46 ft)
Draught7.3 m (24 ft)
PropulsionSails
Armament74 to 78 guns of various weights of shot

Accounts cited that she was one of the three new naval vessels - along with Hercule (1798) and Pluton (1778) - built by the French that was so top-heavy, they nearly capsized.[1][2] To correct Scipion's problem, a stowage was altered and a ballast replaced a part of the water supply.[3] These remedies, however, failed[3] so the French had to shorten the mast to make the ship seaworthy.[1]

Scipion took part in the American War of Independence, notably sailing at the rear of the French squadron at the Battle of the Chesapeake under Antoine Pierre de Clavel.[4][5][6]

18 October 1782, Scipion fires a broadside from her starboard side into Torbay and London

In the action of 18 October 1782, under Captain Nicolas Henri de Grimouard, Scipion fought gallantly against two British ships of the line of 90 and 74 guns. Through good sailmanship, she managed to damage HMS London and escape, but was destroyed the next day after she was chased and ran aground.

Citations
  1. Dull, Jonathan R. (1975). The French Navy and American Independence: A Study of Arms and Diplomacy, 1774-1787. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. p. 146. ISBN 9781400868131.
  2. Morton, Brian N.; Spinelli, Donald C. (2003). Beaumarchais and the American Revolution. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books. p. 231. ISBN 0739104683.
  3. Reed, Edward James (2011). A Treatise on the Stability of Ships. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 222. ISBN 9781108026437.
  4. Lacour-Gayet (1910), p. 648.
  5. Contenson (1934), p. 159.
  6. Troude (1867), p. 140.

References


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