Chimère was a 32-gun frigate of the French Navy. She notably took part in the War of American Independence.
| History | |
|---|---|
 France | |
| Name | Chimère |
| Ordered | 18 October 1756 [1] |
| Builder | Toulon [1] |
| Laid down | January 1757 [1] |
| Launched | 6 February 1758 [1] |
| Fate | Sold 1783 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | frigate |
| Tons burthen | 520 to 611 tonnes |
| Length | 44.2 metres |
| Beam | 11.6 metres |
| Depth of hold | 4.7 metres |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Armament | 26 × 12-pounder long guns |
Career
editChimère was ordered as a privateer by the Chamber of commerce of Marseille on 18 October 1756. On 10 October 1757, the French Navy purchased her, while still under construction.[1]
She first served in the Mediterranean under Faucher. In 1758, she returned Turkish prisoners to Constantinople.[2] She was next under L'Isle Taulanne, and Tressemanes.[1]
On 13 April 1778, Chimère departed Toulon, under Saint-Césaire, as part of a squadron under Admiral d'Estaing Sagittaire, along with Languedoc, Tonnant, César, Zélé, Hector, Guerrier, Marseillais, Protecteur, Vaillant, Provence and Fantasque.[3][1]
She fought at the Battle of St. Lucia on 15 December 1778, where she was tasked to bombard the British battery on the Southern peninsula, along with the 50-gun Sagittaire.[4]
On 9 June 1779, Vengeur and Sagittaire, along with the frigates Chimère and Aimable, departed for Martinique under Brach as a distraction to cover Du Rumain's departure, who was sailing for his Capture of Saint Vincent with Lavely, Lys and four transports.[5]
On 8 July 1778, she was at Sandy Hook, and was sent to Philadelphia to ferry Ambassador Rayneval.[1]
She then took part in the Siege of Savannah,[1][6] under Trolong du Rumain.[6]
Fate
editFrom 1780, Chimère was loaned to be used as a merchantman. In August 1783, she was sold.[1]
Citations
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Roche (2005), p. 114-115.
- ^ Moulin (1922), p. 40.
- ^ Lacour-Gayet (1910), p. 139.
- ^ Troude (1867), p. 19.
- ^ Lacour-Gayet (1910), p. 197.
- ^ a b Troude (1867), p. 43.
References
edit- Lacour-Gayet, Georges (1910). La marine militaire de la France sous le règne de Louis XVI. Paris: Honoré Champion. pp. 431–434.
- Moulin, Stéphane (1922). La Carrière d'un Marin au XVIIIème siècle ; Joseph de Flotte 1734-1792. Gap: éditions Jean et Peyrot. OCLC 902496109.
- 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. (1671-1870)
- Troude, Onésime-Joachim (1867). Batailles navales de la France (in French). Vol. 2. Challamel ainé.