The Iphigénie class was a group of nine 32-gun/12-pounder frigate

Frigate

A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...

s of the French Navy

French Navy

The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...

, built during the late 1770s at Lorient

Lorient

Lorient, or L'Orient, is a commune and a seaport in the Morbihan department in Brittany in north-western France.-History:At the beginning of the 17th century, merchants who were trading with India had established warehouses in Port-Louis...

 (2 ships) and Saint Malo (7 ships). They were designed by Léon Guignace. The seven built at Saint Malo were initially numbered Nos. 1 - 7 respectively, and not given names until October 1777 (for Nos 1 - 4) and the start of 1778 (Nos. 5 - 7); all seven were captured by the British Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

 between 1779 and the end of 1800.

• Iphigénie
  French frigate Iphigénie (1777)
  Iphigénie was a 32-gun Iphigénie-class frigate of the French Navy, and the lead ship of her class.In April 1778, she captured the 18-gun sloop off Saint Lucia. She captured during the same year...
  
  

Builder: Gilles Cambry at Lorient Dockyard

Ordered:

Laid down: February 1777

Launched: 16 October 1777

Completed: March 1778

Fate: Captured by the Spanish in February 1795, becoming Spanish Ifigenia.

• Surveillante
  French frigate Surveillante (1778)
  Surveillante was an Iphigénie-class 32-gun frigate of the French Navy. She took part in the Naval operations in the American Revolutionary War, where she became famous for her battle with HMS Quebec; in 1783, she brought the news that the war was over to America...
  
  

Builder: Gilles Cambry at Lorient Dockyard

Ordered:

Laid down: August 1777

Launched: 26 March 1778

Completed: May 1778

Fate: Wrecked in a storm in Bantry Bay, January 1797

• Résolue
  French frigate Résolue (1778)
  Résolue was an Iphigénie-class 32-gun frigate of the French Navy.-French service:On 19 March 1779, Résolue captured a British fort in Senegal....
  
   (ex No.1)

Builder: Saint Malo Dockyard

Ordered:

Laid down: July 1777

Launched: 16 March 1778

Completed: April 1778

Fate: Captured by the British 14 October 1798, becoming HMS Resolue.

• Gentille (ex No.2)

Builder: Saint Malo Dockyard

Ordered:

Laid down: July 1777

Launched: 18 June 1778

Completed: August 1778

Fate: Captured by the British 11 April 1795, becoming HMS Gentille'.

• Amazone (ex No.3)

Builder: Saint Malo Dockyard

Ordered:

Laid down: August 1777

Launched: 11 May 1778

Completed: July 1778

Fate: Captured by the British 29 July 1782, but retaken by a French squadron the following day; wrecked off the Penmarch Islands January 1797.

• Prudente (ex No.4)

Builder: Saint Malo Dockyard

Ordered:

Laid down: August 1777

Launched: late March 1778

Completed: July 1778

Fate: Captured by the British 2 June 1779, becoming HMS Prudente.

• Gloire (ex No.5)

Builder: Saint Malo Dockyard

Ordered:

Laid down: January 1778

Launched: 9 July 1778

Completed: October 1778

Fate: Captured by the British 10 April 1795, becoming HMS Gloire.

• Bellone
  French frigate Bellone (1779)
  The Bellone was an Iphigénie-class 32-gun frigate of the French Navy. She was one of the French ships with a copper-covered hull.In 1782, she fought against HMS Coventry...
  
   (ex No.6)

Builder: Saint Malo Dockyard

Ordered:

Laid down: January 1778

Launched: 2 August 1778

Completed: February 1779

Fate: Captured by the British 12 October 1798, becoming HMS Proserpine.

• Médée
  French frigate Médée (1779)
  Médée was an Iphigénie-class 32-gun frigate of the French Navy.She took part in the Battle of Tory Island.She was captured off Rio de Janeiro at the Action of 4 August 1800 by East Indiamen Exeter and Bombay.-References:...
  
  (ex No.7)

Builder: Saint Malo Dockyard

Ordered:

Laid down: January 1778

Launched: 23 September 1778

Completed: February 1779

Fate: Captured by the British 5 August 1800, becoming HMS Medee.