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Le Scipion

2149
Nominal Guns74W033
NationalityRoyaume de France
OperatorMarine Royale
Ordered1778W033
Keel Laid Down10.4.1778W033
Launched19.9.1778W033
How acquiredPurpose builtW033
ShipyardRochefort - Aunis W033
Ship ClassScipion Class (1778)W033
Designed by
François-Guillaume Clairain des LauriersFrench
Naval Sailor
Designer
Ship Builder
Service 1738-1768
W033
Constructor
François-Guillaume Clairain des LauriersFrench
Naval Sailor
Designer
Ship Builder
Service 1738-1768
W033
CategoryThird RateW033
National RatePremier RangW033
Ship TypeShip of the LineW033
Sailing RigShip RiggedW033
Sunk in Action18.10.1782W033

Dimensions


DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentW033
Length of Gundeck170' 0"French Feet (Pied du Roi)55.216 (181′ 1″ Imperial)
Breadth44' 0"French Feet (Pied du Roi)14.2912 (46′ 10″ Imperial)
Depth in Hold22' 0"French Feet (Pied du Roi)7.1456 (23′ 5″ Imperial)
Burthen1,500Ton 

Armament


1778Broadside Weight = 838 French Livre (904.3696 lbs 410.201 kg)W033
Lower Gun Deck28 French 36-Pounder
Upper Gun Deck30 French 18-Pounder
Quarterdeck/Forecastle16 French 8-Pounder

3 Ship Commanders


DatesRankNameSource
1779 - bef.3.1781Capitaine de Vaisseau
Nicolas Louis de Durfort (Baron de Durfort)French
Naval Sailor
Service 1752-1791
ref:673
1781Capitaine de VaisseauBNF21782 - 18.10.1782Capitaine de Vaisseau
Nicolas de GrimouardFrench
Naval Sailor
Service 1757-1793
E-WIKI

1 Commissioned Officer


DatesRankNameSource
18.2.1781 - 20.10.1781Lieutenant de Frégate
Esprit-Tranquille MaistralFrench
Naval Sailor
Service 1775-1815
002

Service History


DateEventSource
2.1779

Completed .

W1812P
29.4.1781Battle of Fort Royal
5.9.1781Battle of the Chesapeake
9.4.1782Action off Dominique
12.4.1782Battle of the Saintes
18.10.1782Action of 18 October 1782
19.10.1782

Wrecked in Samana Bay , off San Domingo .

E-WIKI


Notes on Ship


Problem of designE-WIKI

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



 
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