French corvette Subtile (1777)

Subtile was a 24-gun corvette of the French Navy

History
French Navy EnsignFrance
NameSubtile
BuilderRochefort.
Laid downMay 1777 [1]
Launched7 November 1777 [1]
FateHulked 1789
General characteristics
Displacement320 tonnes [1]
Length35.7 metres [1]
Beam9.1 metres [1]
Draught4.7 metres [1]
PropulsionSail
Armament20 to 26 guns
ArmourTimber

Career

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From 1777 to 1778, she was under Lieutenant Bidé de Maurville.[2]

During the War of American Independence, Subtile served in the Indian Ocean in a squadron under Rear-Admiral Thomas d'Estienne d'Orves.[3] Lieutenant Périer de Salvert was in command from 13 September 1780 to 1 November.[4]

On 9 February 1782, Estienne d'Orves died and Suffren assumed command of the squadron. He re-appointed his captains and gave Tromelin de La Nuguy command of Subtile.[5]

She took part in the Battle of Negapatam under Huon de Kermadec on 6 July 1782.[6][7] [Note 1]

In the year 1787, she sailed for a cruise to China with Résolution (under Bruni d'Entrecasteaux), arriving on 7 February 1787, two days after Lapérouse had left. [8]

In November 1788, she was decommissioned in Toulon and became a hulk in 1789. [8]

Notes

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  1. ^ Cunat appears to have misread Kermadec's name as "Kermadie".[6]

Citations

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Roche (2005), p. 424.
  2. ^ "Hippolyte Bernard BIDÉ de MAURVILLE". Officiers et anciens élèves. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  3. ^ Cunat (1852), p. 180.
  4. ^ "Périer de Salvert" (PDF). Académie de Marine. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  5. ^ Cunat (1852), p. 103.
  6. ^ a b Cunat (1852), p. 169.
  7. ^ Cunat (1852), p. 145.
  8. ^ a b Roche (2005), p. 386.

References

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