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.

For other ships with the same name, see French ship Alcmène and HMS Alcmene.

History
France
Name: Alcmène
Ordered: 27 September 1772 [1]
Builder: Toulon [1]
Laid down: May 1773 [1]
Launched: 14 June 1774 [1]
General characteristics
Class and type: Alcmène-class frigate
Type: frigate
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 and references

Citations

  1. 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. 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). 2. Challamel ainé.
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