List of French sail frigates
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This article is a list of French sail 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.

Classification of frigates

This table commences with mention of a few early French naval frigates of the 17th/early 18th century. This includes a number of privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...

 frigates which were not part of the Marine Royale; in addition a few frigates were built for the French East India Company
French East India Company
The French East India Company was a commercial enterprise, founded in 1664 to compete with the British and Dutch East India companies in colonial India....

 (Compagnie des Indes) but these are not included below.

Early French naval frigates, until the 1740s, comprises two distinct groups. The larger types were the frégates-vaisseau, with batteries of guns spread over two decks; these were subdivided into frégates du premier ordre or vaisseau du quatrième rang (usually with a lower deck battery of 12-pounder guns, and an upper deck battery of either 8-pounder or 6-pounder guns) and frégates du deuxième ordre or vaisseau du cinquième rang (with a lower deck batter of 8-pounder guns, and an upper deck battery of either 6-pounder or 4-pounder guns). The smaller types were the frégates légères, with a single battery of (usually) 6-pounder or 4-pounder guns, plus a few small guns on its superstructure or gaillards. The 'modern' sail frigate, with its main battery on the upper deck, and no ports along the lower deck, emerged at the start of the 1740s.

The article categorises frigates according to the weight of the projectile fired by the main battery; the first 'true' frigates in the 1740s carried either 6-pounder or 8-pounder guns, but development soon standardised around the 12-pounder frigate, carrying thirteen pairs (occasionally fourteen pairs) of 12-pounder guns on the upper deck, and usually three pairs of 6-pounder guns on the quarterdeck and forecastle (collectively referred to as the "gaillards" in French). During the American Revolutionary War, larger types carrying an 18-pounder or even 24-pounder main battery (and more secondary guns on the gaillards) were introduced, and following the French Revolution these became predominant. Finally in the 1820s, a new type of 30-pounder armed frigate was brought into service.

The number of guns is as rated; many carried some obusiers (from 1800, carronades) or swivels also.

Frigates of Louis XIV (1661-1715)

Under the classification system introduced by Colbert
Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Jean-Baptiste Colbert was a French politician who served as the Minister of Finances of France from 1665 to 1683 under the rule of King Louis XIV. His relentless hard work and thrift made him an esteemed minister. He achieved a reputation for his work of improving the state of French manufacturing...

 in 1669, as altered in 1671, the "cinquième rang" (fifth rate) comprised frigates, both single-decked and two-decked, carrying between 28 and 34 guns (increased in 1683 to between 30 and 36 guns). Below this rate were the frégates légères ("light frigates") carrying fewer guns.

Frigates of the 1st Order

These were two-decked ships, carrying 12-pounder guns in their lower deck battery, and generally an upper deck battery of 6-pounders. As fourth rate vessels (quatrième rang) they were classed as ships of the line.
  • Mercoeur launched 1661 at Toulon
  • Mancini launched 1662 at Toulon
  • Parfaite launched 1704 at Toulon
  • Vestale launched 1705 at Toulon
  • Griffon launched 1705 at Lorient
  • Amazone launched 1707 at Brest

Frigates of the 2nd Order

These carried 8-pounder guns in their lower deck battery, and were classed as fifth rate vessels (cinquième rang).
  • Hirondelle launched 1664 at Dunkirk
  • Hermine launched 1664 at Dunkirk
  • Laurier launched 1670 at Brest
  • Tourbillon launched 1670 at Brest
  • Boufonne launched 1670 at Toulon
  • Trompeuse launched 1670 at Toulon
  • Jeux launched 1670 at Rochefort
  • Dur launched 1671 at Dunkirk
  • Périlleux launched 1671 at Brest
  • Victoire launched 1671 at Brest
  • Entreprenant launched 1672 at Rochefort
  • Actif launched 1672 at Brest
  • Éclair launched 1673 at Rochefort
  • Entreprenant launched 1673 at Brest
  • Caché launched 1673 at Brest
  • Dauphin purchased 1674
  • Facheux launched 1673 at Dunkirk
  • Brutal launched 1673 at Dunkirk
  • Palmier launched 1676 at Le Havre
  • Adroit launched 1677 at Le Havre
  • Marquis launched 1679 at Brest
  • Hercule launched 1679 at Brest
  • Hirondelle launched 1679 at Brest
  • Marin launched 1679 at Rochefort
  • Soleil d'Afrique launched 1681 at Rochefort
  • Badine launched 1689 at Rochefort
  • Gaillarde launched 1689 at Rochefort
  • Jeux Class - 36-gun design by Hendrick with 18 x 8pdrs and 18 x 4pdrs
    • Jeux (i) launched 1688 at Dunkirk
    • Jeux (ii) launched 1689 at Dunkirk
    • Tigre launched 1689 at Dunkirk
  • Capricieux launched 1689 at Dunkirk
  • Opiniatre launched 1689 at Dunkirk
  • Aigle launched 1692 at Bayonne
  • Aigle launched 1692 at Rochefort
  • Volontaire launched 1693 at Toulon
  • Oiseau launched 1695 at Brest
  • Bellone launched 1696 at Brest
  • Hermione launched 1699 at Brest
  • Meduse launched 1699 at Brest
  • Hirondelle launched 1700 at Toulon
  • Vénus launched 1704 at Bayonne
  • Atalante launched 1707 at Le Havre
  • Valeur launched 1707 at Bayonne
  • Astrée launched 1707 at Brest
  • Junon launched 1709 at Le Havre

Light Frigates (Frégates légères)

These were single-decked unrated ships (i.e. classified as below the cinqième rang), carrying a battery of 6-pounder or 8-pounder guns on their sole gundeck. An estimated 162 of these were placed in service between 1661 and 1715, of which the following is simply a partial list.
  • Aurore launched November 1665 at Brest (renamed Sibylle on 24 June 1671)
  • Diligente launched 1666
  • Christine launched 1666
  • Gaillarde launched 1668 at Dieppe
  • Dieppoise launched 1668 at Dieppe
  • Bretonne launched October 1670 at Brest (renamed Tempete on 24 June 1671)
  • Normande launched November 1670 at Brest (renamed Aurore on 24 June 1671)
  • Friponne launched November 1670 at Rochefort
  • Mutine launched November 1670 at Rochefort
  • Embuscade 1671
  • Gentille 1702
  • Nymphe 1703 (renamed Gracieuse 1705)
  • Dauphine 1703
  • Étoile 1703
  • Fortune 1704
  • Vénus 1704
  • Victoire 1704
  • Embuscade 1704
  • Naiade 1706
  • Zéphir 1706
  • Galathée 1707
  • Astrée 1707
  • Amarante 1707

6-pounder armed frigates

  • Thétis (one-off 26-gun design of 1722 by Jacques Poirier, with 20 x 6-pounder and 6 x 4-pounder guns, launched September 1722 at Le Havre) - broken up 1730.
  • Venus (one-off 26-gun design of 1722 by Jacques Poirier, with 20 x 6-pounder and 6 x 4-pounder guns, launched October 1723 at Le Havre) - wrecked 1745.
  • Victoire (one-off 22-gun design of 1736 by Blaise Geslain, with 22 x 6-pounder guns, rebuilt from frigate of 1704 and launched 1737 at Rochefort) - deleted 1743.
  • Subtile (one-off 20-gun design of 1740 by Jacques Poirier, with 20 x 6-pounder guns, launched June or July 1741 at Le Havre) - captured by British Navy 1746, but not added to the RN.
  • Panthère (one-off 20-gun design of 1743 by Jacques-Luc Coulomb, with 20 x 6-pounder guns, launched February 1744 at Brest) - captured by British Navy 1745, becoming HMS Amazon.
  • Galathée Class (24-gun design of 1744 by Mathurin-Louis Geoffroy, with 24 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Galathée (launched 13 September 1744 at Brest) - captured by British Navy 1758, but not added to the RN.
    • Mutine (launched 16 October 1744 at Brest) - taken to pieces at Martinique 1758.
  • Guirlande (one-off 22-gun design of 1756 by Pierre Salinoc, with 18 x 6-pounder and 4 x 4-pounder guns, launched January 1757 at Brest) - captured by British Navy in August 1758, becoming HMS Cygnet.
  • Terpsichore (one-off 28-gun design of 1757, with 22 x 6-pounder and 6 x 3-pounder guns, launched June 1758 at Dunkirk) - captured by British Navy in February 1760, becoming HMS Terpsichore.

8-pounder armed frigates

  • Astrée (30-gun design by Blaise Ollivier, with 22 x 8-pounder and 8 x 4-pounder guns - launched January 1728 at Brest) - broken up 1741.
  • Médée (26-gun design by Blaise Ollivier, with 26 x 8-pounder guns - launched February 1741 at Brest) - captured by British Navy 4 April 1744, but not added to RN, instead sold as privateer Boscawen.
  • Volage (24-gun design by Pierre Morineau, with 24 x 8-pounder guns - launched 1 April 1741 at Rochefort) - captured by British Navy 4 April 1746, retaken by the French the following day and deleted 1753.
  • Emeraude Class (28-gun design by Chaillé, with 24 x 8pdrs and 4 x 4-pounder guns)
    • Emeraude (launched 10 June 1744 at Le Havre) - captured by British Navy 21 September 1757, becoming HMS Emerald.
    • Fine (launched 27 May 1744 at Le Havre) - wrecked December 1745 off Montrose.
  • Sirène Class (30-gun design of 1744 by Jacques-Luc Coulomb, with 26 x 8-pounder and 4 x 4-pounder guns)
    • Sirène (launched 24 September 1744 at Brest) - captured 1760 by RN, but not added to RN.
    • Renomée (launched 19 December 1744 at Brest) - captured by British Navy 27 September 1747, becoming HMS Renown.
  • Amphitrite Class (30-gun design of 1744 by ?Vinard, with 26 x 8-pounder and 4 x 4-pounder guns)
    • Amphitrite (launched 1744 at Bayonne) - wrecked 1745
    • Megere (launched December 1744 at Bayonne) - deleted 1753
  • Topaze Class (24/26-gun design by Jean-Joseph Ginoux, with 24/26 x 8-pounder guns)
    • Topaze (launched 30 October 1750 at Brest) - deleted 1775
    • Thétis (launched 17 November 1751 at Brest) - deleted 1777
    • Heroine (launched 20 December 1752 at Brest) - deleted 1766
  • Nymphe (24-gun design by Antoine Groignard, with 20 x 8-pounder and 4 x 4-pounder guns - launched early 1752 at Rochefort) - burnt to avoid capture 1757.
  • Comète Class (30-gun design by Joseph-Louis Ollivier, with 26 x 8-pounder and 4 x 4-pounder guns)
    • Comète (launched 20 December 1752 at Brest) - captured by British Navy 16 March 1761, brcoming HMS Comet.
    • Fleur de Lys (launched 1 June 1754 at Brest) - burnt to avoid capture 1760
  • Pléiade (26-gun design by Joseph Coulomb, with 26 x 8-pounder guns - launched 17 November 1755 at Toulon) - sold 1786.
  • Licorne Class (30-gun design of 1754 by Jean Geoffroy, with 26 x 8-pounder and 4 x 4-pounder guns)
    • Licorne (launched December 1755 at Brest) - captured by British Navy 1778, becoming HMS Licorne.
    • Sauvage (launched 3 January 1756 at Brest) - wrecked March 1759 off Poitou.
    • Hermine (launched May 1757 at Bayonne) - wrecked December 1761 off Vigo.
    • Opale (launched May 1757 at Bayonne) - wrecked July 1762 off San Domingo.
  • Minerve Class (30-gun design of 1754 by Jacques-Luc Coulomb, with 26 x 8-pounder and 4 x 4-pounder guns)
    • Minerve (launched 15 February 1756 at Toulon) - wrecked October 1762 off Villefranche.
    • Oiseau (launched 25 April 1757 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1762.
  • Blonde Class (32-gun design by Jean-Joseph Ginoux, with 26 x 8-pounder and 6 x 4-pounder guns)
    • Blonde (launched 23 August 1755 at Le Havre) - captured by British Navy 28 February 1760, becoming HMS Blonde.
    • Brune (launched 7 September 1755 at Le Havre) - captured by British Navy 30 January 1761, becoming HMS Brune..
    • Aigrette (launched 1756 at Le Havre) - condemned at Brest 1789.
    • Vestale
      French ship Vestale (1756)
      The Vestale was a Blonde class 30-gun frigate of the French Navy.She was captured by HMS Unicorn at the Battle of Quiberon Bay, 8 January 1761, and recommissioned in the Royal Navy as HMS Flora...

       (launched March 1756 at Le Havre) - captured by British Navy 8 January 1761, becoming HMS Flora.
    • Félicité (launched 1756 at Le Havre) - captured and burnt by British Navy 24 January 1761.
    • Two more to this design - Bouffonne and Malicieuse - were begun at Caen, but were cancelled in 1757.
  • Diligente (one-off 26-gun design of 1755 by Joseph-Louis Ollivier and Jacques-Luc Coulomb, with 26 x 8-pounder and 6 x 4-pounder guns, launched 28 April 1756 for the French East India Company, and purchased in April 1761 for the French Navy)
  • Mignonne
    French frigate Mignonne (1767)
    The French frigate Mignonne was a one-off design by Claud Saucillon, launched in 1767 at Toulon. Some notable French captains commanded her before the British captured her at Calvi in 1794 and took her into the Royal Navy as HMS Mignonne...

     (one-off 30-gun design of 1765 by Claud Saucillon, with 26 x 8-pounder and 4 x 4-pounder guns, launched 26 April 1767 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1794, becoming HMS Mignonne; burnt in 1797 as useless.
  • Zephyr (one-off 32-gun design of 1767 by Joseph-Louis Ollivier, with 26 x 8-pounder and 6 x 4-pounder guns, launched 23 October 1768 at Brest) - burnt by accident 1779.
  • Flore (one-off 32-gun design of 1768 by Antoine Groignard, with 26 x 8-pounder and 6 x 4-pounder guns, launched 11 November 1768 at Brest) - deleted 1787.
  • Oiseau (one-off 32-gun design of 1767 by François-Guillaume Clairin-Deslauriers, with 26 x 8-pounder and 6 x 4-pounder guns, launched 11 January 1769 at Rochefort) - captured by British Navy 31 January 1779, becoming HMS Oiseau.
  • Alcmène Class (26-gun design of 1773 by Antoine Groignard, with 26 x 8-pounder guns - 6 x 4-pounder guns added later)
    • Alcmène (launched 14 June 1774 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 21 October 1779, becoming HMS Alcmene.
    • Aimable (launched 20 July 1776 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 19 April 1782, becoming HMS Aimable.

12-pounder armed frigates

  • Hermione (one-off 26-gun design of 1748 by Pierre Morineau, with 26 x 12-pounder guns, launched 28 April 1749 at Rochefort) - captured by British Navy 1757, becoming HMS Unicorn's Prize.
  • Gracieuse (one-off 26-gun design of 1749 by Joseph Chapelle, with 26 x 12-pounder guns, launched 23 April 1750 at Toulon) - sold 1781.
  • Rose (one-off 30-gun design of 1749 by Joseph Chapelle, with 8 x 12-pounder and 22 x 8-pounder (or 6-pounder) guns, launched 23 April 1750 at Toulon) - sold 1781.
  • Danaé (one-off 40-gun design of 1756 by Jean-Joseph Ginoux, with 30 x 12-pounder and 10 x 6-pounder guns, launched 13 September 1756 at Le Havre) - captured by British Navy 1759, becoming HMS Danae.
  • Chimère (one-off 30-gun design of 1756 by Joseph Coulomb, with 26 x 12-pounder and 4 x 6-pounder guns, launched 6 February 1758 at Toulon) - sold 1783.
  • Hussar (ex-British Hussar (1757), captured 1762)
  • Terpsichore (one-off 30-gun design of 1762 by Antoine Groignard, with 30 x 12-pounder guns, launched 10 August 1763 at Indret) - deleted 1783.
  • Sultane (one-off 30-gun design of 1764 by Jean-Baptiste Doumet-Revest, with 26 x 12-pounder and 4 x 6-pounder guns, launched 28 June 1765 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1793 at Toulon and burnt.
  • Infidèle Class (32-gun design by Jean-Joseph Ginoux, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Infidèle (launched June 1765 at Le Havre)
    • Légère (launched June 1765 at Le Havre)
    • Sincère (launched 12 March 1766 at Le Havre)
    • Inconstante (launched 26 March 1766 at Le Havre)
    • Blanche (launched 20 October 1766 at Le Havre)
    • Enjouée (launched 4 November 1766 at Le Havre)
  • Boudeuse (one-off 32-gun design of 1765 by Jean-Hyacinthe Raffeau, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns, launched 25 March 1766 at Indret) - deleted 1800.
  • Dédaigneuse Class (32-gun design by Leon-Michel Guignace, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Dédaigneuse (launched 12 April 1766 at Bordeaux)
    • Belle Poule
      French ship Belle Poule (1765)
      Belle Poule was a French frigate of the Dédaigneuse class, designed and built by Léon-Michel Guignace, famous for her duel with the English frigate Arethusa on 17 June 1778, which began the French involvement in the American War of Independence....

       (launched 18 November 1766 at Bordeaux)
    • Amphitrite (launched 26 October 1768 at Bordeaux)
    • Tourterelle (launched 18 September 1770 at Bordeaux)
  • Engageante
    French frigate Engageante (1766)
    Engageante was a 26-gun frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her class. The British captured her in 1794 and converted her to a hospital ship. She served as a hospital ship until she was broken up in 1811.-French service:...

     (one-off 32-gun design by Jean-Francois Etienne, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns, launched 14 November 1766 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1794.
  • Atalante (one-off 32-gun design of 1767 by Joseph Coulomb, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns, launched 1 May 1768 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1794, becoming HMS Espion.
  • Indiscrète Class (34-gun design by Jean-Hyacinthe Raffeau, with 28 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Indiscrète (launched 13 March 1767 at Indret) - deleted 1785.
    • Sensible (launched 15 March 1767 at Indret) - deleted 1789.
  • Renommée (one-off 40-gun design by Antoine Groignard, with 30 x 12-pounder and 10 x 8-pounder guns, launched 22 August 1767 at Brest) - deleted 1783.
  • Zéphyr (one-off 32-gun design by Joseph-Louis Ollivier, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns, launched 23 October 1768 at Brest) - burnt by accident 1779.
  • Aurore (one-off 34-gun design of 1766 by Jean-Denis Chevillard, with 26 x 12-pounder and 8 x 6-pounder guns, launched 23 November 1768 at Rochefort) - captured by British Navy in August 1793 at Toulon.

24-pounder armed frigates

  • Pourvoyeuse Class (38-gun design by Louis Boux, with 26 x 24-pounder guns and 12 x 8-pounder guns)
    • Pourvoyeuse 38 (launched 10 November 1772 at Lorient)
    • Consolante 38 (launched 26 June 1775 at Lorient)

12-pounder armed frigates

  • Nymphe Class (32-gun design by Pierre-Augustin Lamothe, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Nymphe (launched 18 August 1777 at Brest) - captured by British Navy 1780.
    • Andromaque (launched 24 December 1777 at Brest) - wrecked to avoid capture 1796.
    • Astrée (launched 16 May 1780 at Brest) - lost without trace in the Indian Ocean 1795.
  • Sibylle Class
    Sibylle class frigate
    The Sibylle class was a type of five 32-gun frigates designed by Sané.* DianeThe Sibylle class was a type of five 32-gun frigates designed by Sané.* Diane...

     (32-gun design by Jacques-Noël Sané
    Jacques-Noël Sané
    Jacques-Noël Sané was a French naval engineer, one of the most successful shipbuilders of the Age of Sail.Sané studied under Duhamel du Monceau...

    , with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Sibylle (launched 30 August 1777 at Brest) - captured by the British Navy 1783.
    • Diane (launched 18 January 1779 at Saint Malo) - wrecked 1780.
    • Néréide
      French frigate Néréide (1779)
      The Néréide was a Sybille class 32-gun, copper-hulled, frigate of the French Navy. On 22 December 1797 HMS Phoebe captured her and she was taken into British service as HMS Nereide. The French recaptured her at the Battle of Grand Port, only to lose her again when the British took Île de France in...

       (launched 31 May 1779 at Saint Malo) - captured by the British Navy 1797.
    • Fine (launched 11 August 1779 at Nantes) - wrecked 1794
    • Émeraude (launched 25 October 1779 at Nantes) - broken up 1797.
  • Charmante Class (32-gun design by Jean-Denis Chevillard, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Charmante (launched 30 August 1777 at Rochefort) - wrecked 1780.
    • Junon
      French frigate Junon (1778)
      The Junon was a 32-gun Charmante class frigate of the French NavyShe took part in the Battle of Ushant under Admiral d'Orvilliers. She captured HMS Fox on 11 September 1778....

       (launched March 1778 at Rochefort) - wrecked 1780.
    • Gracieuse (launched 19 May 1787 at Rochefort) - captured by British Navy 1796.
    • Inconstante (launched 8 September 1790 at Rochefort) - captured by British Navy 1793.
    • Hélene
      French frigate Hélene (1791)
      The Hélene was a 34-gun Charmante class frigate of the French Navy.In 1793 she was captured by the Spanish Navy whilst endeavouring to make her escape, and was renamed Sirena.She was broken up in 1807....

       (launched 18 May 1791 at Rochefort) - captured by Spanish Navy 1793.
  • Concorde Class (32-gun design by Henri Chevillard, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Concorde (launched 3 September 1777 at Rochefort) - captured by British Navy 1783.
    • Courageuse (launched 28 February 1778 at Rochefort) - captured by British Navy 1799.
    • Hermione
      French frigate Hermione (1779)
      The Hermione was a 12-pounder Concorde class frigate of the French Navy. She became famous when she ferried General Lafayette to the United States in 1780 to allow him to join the American side in the American Revolutionary War.- History :...

       (launched 28 April 1779 at Rochefort) - wrecked 1793.
  • Fortunée (one-off 32-gun design by Pierre Forfait, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns, launched 26 December 1777 at Brest) - captured by British Navy 1779.
  • Iphigénie Class
    Iphigénie class frigate
    The Iphigénie class was a group of nine 32-gun/12-pounder frigates of the French Navy, built during the late 1770s at Lorient and Saint Malo . 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 ...

     (32-gun design by Léon-Michel Guignace, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns; Up to 6 x 36-pounder obusiers were later added)
    • 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...

       (launched 16 October 1777 at Lorient) - captured by Spanish Navy 1795.
    • Surveillante (launched 26 March 1778 at Lorient) - wrecked 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....

       (launched 16 March 1778 at St Malo) - captured by British Navy 1798.
    • Gentille (launched 18 June 1778 at St Malo) - captured by British Navy 1795.
    • Amazone (launched 11 May 1778 at St Malo) - captured by British Navy 1782 but retaken next day; wrecked 1797.
    • Prudente (launched late March 1778 at St Malo) - captured by British Navy 1779.
    • Gloire (launched 9 July 1778 at St Malo) - captured by British Navy 1795
    • 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...

       (launched 2 August 1778 at St Malo) - captured by British Navy 1798.
    • 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:...

       (launched 23 September 1778 at St Malo) - captured by British East Indiamen 1800.
  • Magicienne Class
    Magicienne class frigate
    The Magicienne class was a type of twelve 32-gun frigates of the French Navy. They were designed by Joseph-Marie-Blaise Coulomb.* MagicienneThe Magicienne class was a type of twelve 32-gun frigates of the French Navy...

     (32-gun design by Joseph-Marie-Blaise Coulomb, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Magicienne
      French frigate Magicienne (1778)
      The Magicienne was a frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her class. The British captured her in 1781 and she served with the Royal Navy until her crew burned her in 1810 to prevent her capture after she grounded at Île de France...

       (launched 1778 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1781.
    • Précieuse (launched 1778 at Toulon)
    • Sérieuse
      French frigate Sérieuse (1779)
      The Sérieuse was a Magicienne class frigate of the French Navy.In 1781, she ferried soldiers after the Invasion of Minorca.She was at Toulon when the British captured the city...

      (launched 1779 at Toulon) - sunk at the Battle of Aboukir, 1798.
    • Lutine
      HMS Lutine (1779)
      The Lutine was a Magicienne-class frigate of the French Navy, launched in 1779, captured by the Royal Navy, recommissioned as HMS Lutine, and lost in 1799. The Lutine Bell from the ship is preserved at Lloyd's of London....

      (launched 1779 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1793 - wrecked 1799, her ship's bell was salvaged and still hangs in Lloyds of London.
    • Vestale (launched 1780 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1799.
    • Alceste (launched 1780 at Toulon, 36 guns) - captured 1793 by British Navy but retaken by the French Boudeuse on 8 June 1794 , then captured again in 1799.
    • Iris (launched 1781 at Toulon) - burnt 1793.
    • Réunion (launched 1786 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1793.
    • Modeste
      HMS Modeste (1793)
      HMS Modeste was a 36-gun fifth rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She had previously been a ship of the French Navy under the name Modeste. Launched in France in 1786, she served during the first actions of the French Revolutionary Wars until being captured while in harbour at Genoa, in circumstances...

       (launched 1786 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1793.
    • Sensible
      French frigate Sensible (1788)
      Sensible was a 32-gun Magicienne-class frigate of the French Navy. She was captured by the Royal Navy in 1798 and taken in to service as HMS Sensible. She was lost in a grounding off Ceylon in 1802.-French Navy service:...

      (launched 1787 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1798.
    • Topaze (launched 1790 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1793.
    • Artémise
      French frigate Artémise (1794)
      The Artémise was a Magicienne class frigate of the French Navy.She was under construction as Aurore in Toulon when the British seized the city...

      (launched 1794 at Toulon) - sunk at the Battle of Aboukir, 1798.
  • Cérès Class (32-gun design by Charles-Etienne Bombelle, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Cérès (launched 1779 at Rochefort)
    • Fée (launched 1780 at Rochefort)
  • Galathée Class
    Galathée class frigate
    The Galathée class was a type of 32-gun frigates of the French Navy, designed by Raymond-Antoine Haran, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns...

     (32-gun design by Raymond-Antoine Haran, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Galathée
      French frigate Galathée (1779)
      The Galathée was a 32-gun frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her class.Galathée took part in the Naval operations in the American Revolutionary War, taking part to the capture of Sint Eustatius and to the Battle of the Saintes....

       (launched 1779 at Rochefort)
    • Railleuse (launched 1779 at Bordeaux); she was sold on 17 January 1798 at Rochefort. She became the privateer Egyptienne
      Egyptienne (ship)
      During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars Egyptienne or Egypt, which commemorated Napoleon's Egyptian Campaign, was a popular name for French vessels, including naval vessels and privateers...

      , which
      Hippomenes
      HMS Hippomenes (1803)
      HMS Hippomenes was a former Dutch corvette built in Vlissingen in 1797 for the Batavian Republic. The British took her in 1803 and she served with the Royal Navy until sold in 1813. With the Royal Navy she participated in two notable single-ship actions in the West Indies.-Dutch service:Hippomenes...

       captured in 1804. The British took
      Egyptienne into service as HMS Antigua
      HMS Antigua (1804)
      HMS Antigua was a French frigate launched in 1779. She became a privateer that the British captured in 1804. She served the Royal Navy as a prison ship from 1804 to 1816, when she was broken up.-French service:...

      .
      Antigua served as a prison ship until she was scrapped in 1816.
    • Fleur de Lys (launched 1785 at Rochefort) - renamed Pique
      HMS Pique (1795)
      HMS Pique was a 38-gun fifth rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She had formerly served with the French Navy, initially as the Fleur-de-Lys, and later as the Pique. She was captured in 1795 by HMS Blanche, in a battle that left the Blanches commander, Captain Robert Faulknor, dead...

      in June 1792 - captured by British Navy 1795.
    • Charente Inférieure (launched 1793 at Rochefort) - renamed Tribune in February 1794 - captured by British Navy 1796.
  • Capricieuse Class (32-gun design by Charles Segondat-Duvernet, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Capricieuse (i) (launched 1779 at Lorient) - captured 1780 by British Navy.
    • Friponne (launched 1780 at Lorient)
    • Capricieuse
      French frigate Capricieuse (1787)
      The Capricieuse was a 36-gun frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her classShe was launched in Lorient on 20 November 1786 and commissioned under captain de Ferrières the next year....

       (ii) (launched 1786 at Lorient.
    • Prudente
      French frigate Prudente (1790)
      The Prudente was a 32-gun Capricieuse class frigate frigate of the French Navy.In 1791, under lieutenant Villaret de Joyeuse, she was tasked with ferrying troops to Cap Français and with police duty in Santo Domingo...

       (launched 1790 at Lorient)
  • Vénus Class (design by Jacques-Noël Sané
    Jacques-Noël Sané
    Jacques-Noël Sané was a French naval engineer, one of the most successful shipbuilders of the Age of Sail.Sané studied under Duhamel du Monceau...

    , with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Vénus
      French frigate Vénus (1780)
      The Vénus was a 32-gun frigate of the French Navy.She was launched in Saint-Malo in 1780. Her main duties were escorting convoys between Ile de Ré, Nantes and Brest. In this capacity, she captured a british privateer on 16 June....

       (launched 1780 at St Malo) - wrecked 1781.
    • Cléopâtre (launched 1781 at St Malo) - captured by British Navy 1793, renamed HMS Oiseau.
  • Félicité Class (32-gun design by Pierre-Alexandre Forfait, with 26 x 12-pounder and 6 x 6-pounder guns, and 2 x 36-pounder obusiers)
    • Félicité
      French frigate Félicité (1785)
      The Félicité was a 32-gun frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her class. Captured by the British Navy and sold to the State of Haiti, she entered Haitian service as Améthyste.-French service:In 1792, she traveled to the Caribbean Sea...

       34 guns (launched 1785 at Brest) - captured by British Navy 1809, sold to Haiti
      State of Haiti
      The State of Haiti was the name of the state in northern Haiti. It was created on October 17, 1806 following the overthrow of the Empire of Haiti following the assassination of Emperor Jacques I...

       and commissioned as the Améthyste, defected 1812 to Haitian rebels and renamed Heureuse Réunion, retaken by British & returned to Haiti.
    • Calypso 32 guns (launched 1785 at Brest) - transferred to Spain 1793.
    • Fidèle 32 guns (launched 1789 at Le Havre) - condemned 1802, probably demolished 1813.
    • Fortunée 32 guns (launched 1791 at Le Havre) - burnt 1794 to avoid capture.
  • Sémillante Class
    Sémillante class frigate
    The Sémillante class was a type of12-pounder 32-gun frigate of the French Navy, designed by Pierre-Joseph Pénétreau.* Sémillante...

     (design by Pierre-Joseph Pénétreau, with 26 x 12pdr guns).
    • Sémillante
      French frigate Sémillante (1792)
      The Sémillante was a 32-gun frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her class. She was involved in a number of multi-vessel actions against the Royal Navy, particularly in the Indian Ocean. She captured a number of East Indiamen before the she became so damaged that the French disarmed her and...

       32 guns (launched 1791 at Lorient) - sold 1808 for commercial use.
    • Insurgente 32 guns (launched 1793 at Lorient - captured by American Navy 1799.
  • Charente Inférieure Class (design by Raymond-Antoine Haran)
    • Charente Inférieure (launched 1793 at Rochefort) - renamed Tribune in February 1794.
    • République Française (launched 1794 at Bordeaux) - renamed Républicaine Française in September 1794, then Renommée in May 1795.
    • Décade Française (launched 1794 at Bordeaux) - renamed Décade in May 1795.
  • Cocarde Nationale Class (40-gun design by Pierre Duhamel, with 28 x 12-pounder and 12 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Cocarde Nationale
      French frigate Cocarde (1794)
      The Cocarde was a 40-gun Cocarde class frigate of the French Navy.Ordered as Cocarde nationale, she was launched on 29 April 1794 in Saint Malo and commissioned in July under Lieutenant Allanic. Under Captain Quérangal, she took part in the Battle of Groix. She later took part in the Expédition...

       (launched 1794 at St Malo) - renamed Cocarde in June 1796.
    • Régénérée
      French frigate Régénérée (1794)
      Régénérée was a 40-gun Cocarde class frigate of the French Navy. The British captured her in 1801 at the fall of Alexandria but never commissioned her...

       (launched 1794 at St Malo) - captured by British Navy 1801, renamed HMS Alexandria.
    • Bravoure
      French frigate Bravoure (1795)
      The Bravoure was a 40-gun Cocarde class frigate of the French Navy.She was launched in November 1795 in Saint Servan. She took part in the Expédition d'Irlande, and later served in Ganteaume's squadron. On 28 January 1801, she fought an indecisive battle against HMS Concorde...

       (launched 1795 at St Servan)
  • Patriote Class
    Coquille class frigate
    The Coquille class was a type of five 40-gun frigates designed by Raymond-Antoine Haran.* CoquilleThe Coquille class was a type of five 40-gun frigates designed by Raymond-Antoine Haran.* Coquille...

     (40-gun design by Raymond-Antoine Haran, with 28 x 12-pounder and 12 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Patriote
      French frigate Coquille (1795)
      The Coquille was a 40-gun frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her class.Built as Patriote, she was renamed Coquille on 30 May 1795....

       (launched October 1794 at Bayonne) - renamed
      Coquille on 30 May 1795.
    • Fidèle
      French frigate Sirène (1795)
      The Sirène was a 40-gun Coquille class frigate of the French Navy.Begun as Fidèle, she was commissioned as Sirène in May 1795 under lieutenant Charles Berrenger. She took part in the Expédition d'Irlande....

       (launched 1795 at Bayonne) - renamed
      Sirène on 30 May 1795.
    • Franchise
      French frigate Franchise (1798)
      The Franchise was a 40-gun Coquille class frigate of the French Navy.In 1800, she sailed to South Atlantic to act as a commerce raider, along with the Concorde and Médée...

      (launched 17 October 1797 at Bayonne)
    • Dédaigneuse
      French frigate Dédaigneuse (1799)
      The Dédaigneuse was a 40-gun Coquille-class frigate of the French Navy.-French service:On 30 December 1800, as she was taking political prisoners at Cayenne to bring them back to France under Captain Prevost Lacroix, she spotted , but to no avail....

       (launched December 1798 at Bayonne)
    • Thémis (launched 13 August 1799 at Bayonne)
  • Heureuse Class (38-gun design by Pierre Degay, with 26 x 12-pounder and 12 x 6-pounder guns)
    • Heureuse (launched 31 January 1798 at Basse-Indre, near Nantes)
    • Chiffonne (launched 31 August 1799 at Basse-Indre, near Nantes)
  • Psyché
    French frigate Psyché (1804)
    Psyché was a 36-gun vessel built between February 1798 and 1799 at Basse-Indre as a privateer. As a privateer she had an inconclusive but bloody encounter with HMS Wilhelmina of the Royal Navy, commanded by Commander Henry Lambert, off the Indian coast in April 1804. The French then brought her...

     (42-gun design by Pierre Degay, with 24 x 12-pounder and 18 x 6-pounder guns, launched at Nantes and purchased by French Navy)


The above list excludes some 12-pounder frigates captured from the British Navy at various dates, or from other navies such as those of Venice in 1797.
  • Fox 28 (1773, ex-British privateer Fox, captured 1778) - sold 1778 (not added to French Navy)

18-pounder armed frigates

  • Until 1779 the standard armament on the frigate was the 12-pounder gun, but in that year Britain and France independently developed heavy frigates with a main battery of either 26 or 28 x 18-pounder guns (plus a number of smaller guns, usually 8-pounders or 6-pounders, on the gaillards - the French term for the quarterdeck and forecastle combined). From 1786 the standard designs of Jacques-Noël Sané
    Jacques-Noël Sané
    Jacques-Noël Sané was a French naval engineer, one of the most successful shipbuilders of the Age of Sail.Sané studied under Duhamel du Monceau...

     became predominant and - while other classes of frigate were built - Sané designs were used for the vast majority of frigates built thereafter up to 1814.

  • Hébé Class
    Hébé class frigate
    The Hébé class was a class of six 38-gun frigates of the French Navy, designed in 1781 by Jacques-Noël Sané.* HébéThe Hébé class was a class of six 38-gun frigates of the French Navy, designed in 1781 by Jacques-Noël Sané.* Hébé...

     (design by Jacques-Noël Sané
    Jacques-Noël Sané
    Jacques-Noël Sané was a French naval engineer, one of the most successful shipbuilders of the Age of Sail.Sané studied under Duhamel du Monceau...

    , with 26 x 18pdr guns).
    • Vénus
      French frigate Vénus (1782)
      The Vénus was an 38-gun Hébé class frigate of the French Navy.In the summer of 1782, Vénus operated as a transport between Rochefort and Île de Ré...

       34 guns (launched 14 July 1782 at Brest) - wrecked 31 December 1788 in the Indian Ocean.
    • Hébé 38 guns (launched 25 June 1782 at Saint-Malo) - captured by British Navy 4 September 1782.
    • Dryade 36 guns (launched 3 February 1783 at Saint-Malo) - condemned 1801 and BU.
    • Proserpine 36 guns (launched 25 June 1785 at Brest) - captured by British Navy 13 June 1796.
    • Sibylle
      French frigate Sibylle (1792)
      The Sibylle was an 38-gun Hébé class frigate of the French Navy. She was launched in 1791 at the dockyards in Toulon and placed in service in 1792...

       36 guns (launched 30 August 1791 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 17 June 1794.
    • Carmagnole 38 guns (launched 22 May 1793 at Brest) - wrecked at Vlissingen 9 November 1800.
  • Danae Class (design by Charles Segonday-Duvernet, with 26 x 18pdr guns) (the Danae, a prototype, differed somewhat from the other pair).
    • Danae 36 guns (launched 27 May 1782 at Lorient) - deleted 1796 or later.
    • Méduse 36 guns (launched 18 November 1782 at Lorient) - burnt by accident 1797.
    • Didon 36 guns (launched 20 August 1785 at Lorient) - burnt at Guadeloupe 1792.
  • Nymphe Class (design by Pierre-Augustin Lamothe, with 26 x 18pdr guns initially, although by 1793 carried 28 x 18pdr guns, plus 10 x 8pdr guns on the gaillards and 4 obusiers).
    • Nymphe 36 guns (launched 30 May 1782 at Brest) - wrecked at Noirmoutiers 30 December 1793.
    • Thétis
      French frigate Thétis (1788)
      Thétis was a 40-gun Nymphe-class frigate frigate of the French Navy.From 1790, she served in various diplomatic missions in the Indian Ocean, before returning for a refit in Brest in 1793. From 1795, she was shuttled from France to Guadeloupe...

       36 guns (launched 16 June 1788 at Brest) - captured by British Navy 10 November 1808.
    • Cybèle
      French frigate Cybèle (1790)
      The Cybèle was an Nymphe class 40-gun frigate of the French Navy.On 22 October 1794, soon after the outbreak of the war with England, and along with the 32-gun Prudente and the brig Coureur, she fought HMS Centurion and , who blockaded Ile de France. The French ships managed to drive away the...

       36 guns (launched 7 July 1789 at Brest) - sunk in action 24 February 1809.
    • Concorde
      French frigate Concorde (1793)
      The Concorde was a Nymphe-class 40-gun frigate of the French Navy.On 27 May 1793, Concorde captured the 24-gun HMS Hyæna. She took part in the Expédition d'Irlande, and on 12 October 1798, in aftermath of the Battle of Tory Island....

       36 guns (launched 25 October 1791 at Brest) - captured by British Navy 4 August 1800.
  • Minerve Class (design by Joseph-Marie-Blaise Coulomb, the first two with 26 x 18pdr guns initially, although by 1793 all carried 28 x 18pdr guns, plus 10 x 8pdr guns on the gaillards and 4 obusiers).
    • Minerve 38 guns (launched 31 July 1782 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy February 1794, becoming HMS San Fiorenzo.
    • Junon 38 guns (launched 14 August 1782 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy June 1799, becoming HMS Princess Charlotte.
    • Impérieuse 40 guns (launched 11 July 1787 at Toulon - Captured by Britain 1793, becoming HMS Impérieuse
      HMS Imperieuse (1793)
      The Impérieuse was a 40-gun Minerve class frigate of the French Navy. She later served in the Royal Navy as HMS Imperieuse and HMS Unite.-French service and capture:...

      , renamed HMS Unité in September 1803.
    • Melpomène 40 guns (launched 6 August 1789 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy February 1794, becoming HMS Melpomene.
    • Minerve
      French frigate Minerve (1794)
      The Minerve was a 40-gun frigate of the French Navy. She was captured twice by the British and recaptured once by the French. She therefore served under four names:*Minerve, 1794–1795*HMS Minerve, 1795–1803*Canonnière, 1803–1810...

       40 (1794) - Captured by Britain 1795, becoming HMS Minerve.
  • Valeureuse Class (design by Charles-Henri Le Tellier, with 26 x 18pdr guns.
    • Valeureuse (launched 29 July 1798 at Le Havre) - damaged in a storm 1806 and sold.
    • Infatigable
      French frigate Infatigable (1800)
      Infatigable was a 40-gun Valeureuse class frigate of the French Navy. She took part in Allemand's expedition of 1805.In the Action of 25 September 1806, she and Gloire, Minerve and Armide were captured by a four-ship squadron under Samuel Hood.She was taken into Royal Navy service as HMS...

       40 (1800) - Captured by Britain 1806, renamed Immortalité
  • Carrère Class (40-gun design by Pierre-Alexandre Forfait, with 28 x 18-pounder and 12 x 8pdr guns, plus 4 x 36-pounder obusiers)
    • Carrère (launched 20 August 1797 at Venice) - captured by British Navy in August 1801, becoming HMS Carrere
      HMS Carrere (1801)
      Carrère was a French frigate that served briefly in the French navy before the British captured her in 1801, naming her HMS Carrere...

      .
    • Muiron
      French frigate Muiron
      The Muiron was a frigate of the French Navy, famous for ferrying Bonaparte on the 22 August 1799 under the flagship of Admiral Ganteaume from Egypt to France after the Battle of the Nile....

       (launched 22 August 1797 at Venice) - hulked 1807, deleted 1850.

  • Seine Class
    Seine class frigate
    The Seine class was a class of five 42-gun frigates of the French Navy, designed in 1793 by Pierre-Alexandre Forfait. The first four were originally designed to carry a main armament of 24-pounder guns, but in the event were completed at Le Havre with 18-pounders...

     (38-gun design by Pierre-Alexandre Forfait, with 28 x 18-pounder and 10 x 8pdr guns, plus 4 x 36-pounder obusiers)
    • Seine
      HMS Seine (1798)
      Seine was a 38-gun Seine-class French frigate that the Royal Navy captured in 1798 and commissioned as the fifth rate HMS Seine. On 20 August 1800, Seine captured the French ship Vengeance in a single ship action that would win for her crew the Naval General Service Medal...

       (launched 1793 at Le Havre) - captured by British Navy 1798.
    • Révolutionnaire
      HMS Révolutionnaire (1794)
      The Révolutionnaire , was a 40-gun Seine-class frigate of the French Navy, launched in May 1794. The British captured her in October 1794 and she went on to serve with the Royal Navy until she was broken up in 1822...

       (launched 1794 at Le Havre) - captured by British Navy 1794.
    • Spartiate (launched 1794 at Le Havre) - renamed Pensée in May 1795.
    • Indienne (launched 1796 at Le Havre) - burnt 1809.
    • Furieuse (launched 1797 at Cherbourg)
  • Montagne (one-off design by Joseph-Marie-Blaise Coulomb) - renamed Voluntaire in July 1794.
  • Virginie Class
    Virginie class frigate
    The Virginie class was a class of ten 44-gun frigates of the French Navy, designed in 1793 by Jacques-Noël Sané. An eleventh vessel begun in 1794 was never completed.* Virginie...

     (40-gun design by Jacques-Noël Sané
    Jacques-Noël Sané
    Jacques-Noël Sané was a French naval engineer, one of the most successful shipbuilders of the Age of Sail.Sané studied under Duhamel du Monceau...

    , with 28 x 18-pounder and 12 x 8-pounder guns, plus 4 x 36-pounder obusiers)
    • Virginie (launched 1794 at Brest) - captured by British Navy 1795, becoming HMS Virginie.
    • Courageuse
      French frigate Justice (1794)
      The Justice was a Virginie class frigate of the French Navy, originally built and completed as Courageuse in 1794, but renamed Justice in April 1795....

       (launched 1794 at Brest) - renamed Justice in April 1795 - captured by British Navy 1801, then handed over to Turks.
    • Harmonie
      French frigate Harmonie (1796)
      The Harmonie was a 44-gun Virginie class frigate of the French Navy.She was beached and scuttled by fire at Saint Domingue on 16 April 1797 to avoid captured by HMS Thunderer and HMS Valiant-References :...

       (launched 1796 at Bordeaux)
    • Volontaire
      French frigate Volontaire (1796)
      The Volontaire was a 44-gun Virginie class frigate of the French Navy.She took part in the Atlantic campaign of 1806, and was captured by HMS Diadem in March 1806. She was brought into Royal Navy service as HMS Volontaire....

       (launched 1796 at Bordeaux) - captured by British Navy 1806, becoming HMS Volontaire.
    • Cornélie
      French frigate Cornélie (1797)
      The Cornélie was a 44-gun Virginie class frigate of the French Navy.In April 1799, along with Vengeance and Sémillante, she fought against HMS St Fiorenzo and Amelia....

       (launched 1797 at Brest) - captured by Spanish Navy 1808.
    • Didon (launched 1799 at St Malo) - captured by British Navy 1805, becoming HMS Didon.
    • Rhin
      French frigate Rhin (1802)
      Rhin was a 44-gun Virginie-class frigate of the French Navy launched in 1802. She was present at two major battles while in French service. Then the Royal Navy captured her in 1806. Thereafter Rhin served until 1815 capturing numerous vessels. After the end of the Napoleonic Wars she was laid up...

       (launched 1802 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1806, becoming HMS Rhin.
    • Belle Poule (launched 1802 at Basse-Indre) - captured by British Navy 1806, becoming HMS Belle Poule.
    • Surveillante
      French frigate Surveillante (1802)
      The Surveillante entered service as a 40-gun Virginie class frigate of the French Navy. She was surrendered to the British in 1803, after which she served in the Royal Navy, classed under the British system as a 38 gun vessel, until 1814 when she was decommissioned...

       (launched 1802 at Basse-Indre) - captured by British Navy 1803, becoming HMS Surveillante.
    • Atalante
      French frigate Atalante (1802)
      The Atalante was a 44-gun Virginie class frigate of the French Navy.Launched in 1802, she cruised in the Indian Ocean under capitaine de frégate Gaudin, in the squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Charles-Alexandre Léon Durand Linois...

       (launched 1802 at St Malo) - burnt 1805.
  • Preneuse Class
    Preneuse class frigate
    The Preneuse class was a type of two 42-gun frigates.* PreneuseThe Preneuse class was a type of two 42-gun frigates.* PreneuseThe Preneuse class was a type of two 42-gun frigates.* Preneuse:Builder::Ordered:...

     (40-gun design of 1794 by Raymond-Antoine Haran, with 28 x 18-pounder and 12 x 8-pounder guns)
    • Preneuse
      French frigate Preneuse (1795)
      The Preneuse was a 44-gun frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her class. She served as a commerce raider at Île de France.In March 1798, under Lhermitte, she ferried ambassadors from Mysore sent by Tippu Sultan to île de France to request help against the British...

       (launched 1794 at Rochefort) - destroyed by British Navy 1799.
    • Africaine (launched 1798 at Rochefort) - captured by British Navy 1801, becoming HMS Africaine.
  • Diane
    French frigate Diane (1796)
    The Diane was a 38-gun frigate of the French Navy.She took part in the Battle of the Nile, managing to escape to Malta with the Justice....

     40-gun one-off design by Pierre-Joseph Pénétreau (launched 10 February 1796 at Toulon) - Captured by Britain 1800, becoming HMS
    Niobe.
  • Armide Class
    Armide class frigate
    The Armide class was a type of 40-gun frigates of the French Navy, designed by Pierre Roland. A highly detailed and accurate model of Flore is on display at Paris naval museum.*Armide...

     (40-gun design by Pierre Roland, with 28 x 18-pounder and 8 x 12-pounder guns and 4 x 36-pounder obusiers)
    • Armide
      French frigate Armide (1804)
      Armide was a 40-gun frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her class, and launched in 1804 at Rochefort. She served briefly in the French navy before the British captured her in 1806. She went on to serve in the British Navy until 1815 when she was broken up.-French service:She took part in...

       (launched 24 April 1804 at Rochefort) - captured by British Navy 1806, becoming HMS
      Armide.
    • Minerve (launched 9 September 1805 at Rochefort) - captured by British Navy 1806, becoming HMS Alceste
      HMS Alceste (1806)
      The Minerve was a 38-gun Armide class frigate of the French Navy, captured by the British in 1806 and brought into Royal Navy service as HMS Alceste. She was wrecked in 1817.-French service:...

      .
    • Pénélope (launched 28 October 1806 at Bordeaux) - deleted 1826.
    • Flore
      French frigate Flore (1806)
      The Flore was a 44-gun Armide class frigate of the French Navy.In 1808, she was part of Ganteaume's squadron that cruised in the Mediterranean....

       (launched 11 November 1806 at Rochefort) - wrecked 1811.
    • Amphitrite
      French frigate Amphitrite (1808)
      The Amphitrite was a 44-gun Armide class frigate of the French Navy.Amphitrite, under frigate captain Trobriand, departed Cherbourg for Martinique on 10 November 1808, along with Vénus, Junon, Cygne and Papillon, under contre-amiral Hamelin...

       (launched 11 April 1808 at Cherbourg) - burnt 1809.
    • Niémen (launched 8 November 1808 at Bordeaux) - captured by British Navy 1809, becoming HMS Niemen
      HMS Niemen (1809)
      HMS Niemen was a Royal Navy 38-gun fifth-rate frigate. She began her career as the Niémen, a 44-gun French Navy Armide-class frigate, designed by Pierre Rolland. She was only in French service for a few months when in 1809 she encountered some British frigates. The British captured her and she...

      .
    • Saale (launched 28 October 1810 at Rochefort) - renamed Amphitrite September 1814, reverted to Saale March 1815, then Amphitrite again in July 1815 - deleted 1821.
    • Alcmène
      French frigate Alcmène (1811)
      The French frigate Alcmène was an Armide-class frigate of a nominal 44 guns, launched in 1811. The British captured her on 1814. The Royal Navy named her HMS Dunira, and then renamed her HMS Immortalite but never commissioned her nor fitted her for sea. In March 1822 she became a receiving ship at...

       (launched 3 October 1811 at Cherbourg) - captured by British Navy 1814, becoming HMS
      Dunira, but quickly renamed HMS Immortalite.
    • Circé (launched 15 December 1811 at Rochefort) - deleted 1844.
    • Three more of this design - Androméde, Emeraude and Cornélie - were begun at Bayonne but never reached launch stage, while three more were completed post-war:
    • Antigone (launched 1816 at Bordeaux)
    • Cléopatre (launched 1817 at Cherbourg)
    • Magicienne (launched 1823 at Rochefort)
  • Créole (40-gun one-off design by Jacques-Augustin Lamothe with 28 x 18-pounder and 12 x 8-pounder guns) - captured by the British Navy 1803, becoming HMS Creole.
  • Uranie (40-gun one-off design by Charles Segondat-Duvernet with 28 x 18-pounder and 12 x 8-pounder guns) - renamed Tartu in November 1793, captured by the British Navy 1797, becoming HMS Uranie.
  • Vestale
  • Bienvenue 32
  • Gloire Class (40-gun design of 1802 by Pierre-Alexandre Forfait, with 28 x 18-pounder and 12 x 8-pounder guns)
    • Gloire (launched 20 July 1803 at Basse-Indre) - captured by the British Navy 1806, becoming HMS Gloire.
    • Président (launched 4 June 1804 at Basse-Indre) - captured by the British Navy 1806, becoming HMS President.
    • Topaze
      French frigate Topaze (1805)
      The Topaze was a 44-gun frigate of the French Navy. The British captured her in 1809 and she the served with the Royal Navy under the name Alcmene until she was broken up in 1816.-French service:...

       (launched 1 March 1805 at Basse-Indre) - captured by the British Navy 1809, becoming HMS
      Alcmene.
    • Vénus (launched 5 April 1806 at Le Havre) - captured by the British Navy 1810, becoming HMS Nereide.
    • Junon
      French frigate Junon (1806)
      The Junon was a 40-gun frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her class.On 10 November 1808, under capitaine de frégate Rousseau, she departed for Martinique, along with Vénus, Amphitrite, Cygne and Papillon. The squadron broke apart the next day, and she found herself isolated...

       (launched 16 August 1806 at Le Havre) - captured by the British Navy 1809, becoming HMS
      Junon.
    • Calypso (launched 9 January 1807 at Lorient) - severely damaged 1809, sold 1813 or 1814.
    • Amazone (launched 20 July 1807 at Le Havre) - burnt by the British Navy 1811.
  • Consolante Class (40-gun design by François Pestel, with 28 x 18-pounder and 12 x 8-pounder guns)
    • Consolante (launched 22 July 1800 at Saint Malo)
    • Piémontaise
      French frigate Piémontaise (1804)
      The Piémontaise was a 40-gun Consolante-class frigate of the French Navy. She served as a commerce raider in the Indian Ocean until her capture in March 1808...

       (launched 15 November 1804 at Saint Servan)
    • Italienne (launched 15 August 1806 at Saint Servan)
    • Danae
      French frigate Danaé (1807)
      The Danaé was a 44-gun frigate of the French Navy.On 12 March 1808, she was part of Bernard Dubourdieu's squadron sailing to raid the British commerce raider base of the island of Lissa...

       (launched 18 August 1807 at Genoa)
    • Bellone (launched February 1808 at Saint Servan)
    • Néréide (launched December 1808 at Saint Servan)
    • Illyrienne (launched 13 November 1811 at Saint Servan)
    • Galatée (launched 5 May 1812 at Genoa)

  • Milanaise Class (40-gun design by Charles Segondat, with 28 x 18-pounder and 12 x 8-pounder guns)
    • Milanaise (launched 1805 at Dunkirk) - renamed Sirène in August 1814.
    • Vistule (launched 1808 at Dunkirk) - renamed Danaé in August 1814.
    • Oder (launched 1813 at Dunkirk) - renamed Thémis August 1814, reverted to Oder March 1815, then Thémis again July 1815.
    • Perle (launched 1813 at Dunkirk)

  • Hortense Class
    Hortense class frigate
    Jacques-Noël Sané designed the Hortense class 40-gun frigates of the French Navy in 1802. Seven frigates were built to this new design between 1803 and 1807. Of the seven, one was wrecked at sea and the British Royal Navy captured four, taking three into service.* HortenseJacques-Noël Sané designed...

     (40-gun design of 1802 by Jacques-Noël Sané
    Jacques-Noël Sané
    Jacques-Noël Sané was a French naval engineer, one of the most successful shipbuilders of the Age of Sail.Sané studied under Duhamel du Monceau...

    , with 28 x 18-pounder and 12 x 8-pounder guns)
    • Hortense
      French frigate Hortense (1803)
      The Hortense was a 40-gun Hortense Class frigate of the French Navy.In January 1805, she was sent to observe British movements off Toulon, along with Incorruptible. On 4 February, they attacked a convoy, destroying 7 ships...

       (launched 3 July 1803 at Toulon) - broken up 1840
    • Hermione
      French frigate Hermione (1804)
      The Hermione was a 40-gun Hortense Class frigate of the French Navy.Ordered by the Italian Republic as a gift to France under the name République Italienne, she was renamed to Hermione on 26 December 1803, to be launched in December 1804....

       (launched 2 December 1804 at Toulon) - wrecked 1808
    • Pomone
      French frigate Pomone (1805)
      The Pomone was a 40-gun Hortense-class frigate of the French Navy, built at Genoa for the puppet government of the Ligurian Republic, which was annexed as part of France in June 1805, a month after the Pomone was completed...

       (launched 10 February 1805 at Genoa) - captured by British Navy 1811, becoming HMS Ambuscade.
    • Manche
      French frigate Manche (1803)
      The Manche was a 40-gun Hortense Class frigate of the French Navy.She took part in operations at Île de France under Captain François-Désiré Breton....

       (launched 5 April 1806 at Cherbourg) - captured by British Navy 1810, but not added to RN.
    • Caroline
      French frigate Caroline (1806)
      The Caroline was a 40-gun Hortense Class frigate of the French Navy.On 12 November 1808, the French authorities sent four new 40 gun frigates to the Indian Ocean...

       (launched 1806 at Antwerp) - captured by British Navy 1809, becoming HMS Bourbonnaise.
    • Pauline
      French frigate Pauline (1807)
      The Pauline was a 44-gun Hortense class frigate of the French Navy.On 27 February 1809, along with Dubourdieu's Pénélope, she captured the 32-gun HMS Proserpine ....

       (launched 1807 at Toulon) - renamed Bellone April 1814.
    • Corona
      French frigate Corona (1807)
      The Corona was a 40-gun Hortense-Class frigate of the French Navy. The French built her in 1807 for the Venetian Navy but took her over in 1810. The British captured Corona at the Battle of Lissa and took her into the Royal Navy as HMS Daedalus...

       (launched 1807 at Venice) - captured by British Navy 1811, becoming HMS Daedalus.

  • Pallas Class (40-gun design of 1805 by Jacques-Noël Sané
    Jacques-Noël Sané
    Jacques-Noël Sané was a French naval engineer, one of the most successful shipbuilders of the Age of Sail.Sané studied under Duhamel du Monceau...

    , with 28 x 18-pounder and 12 x 8-pounder guns). This was the 'standard' frigate design of the French First Empire, numerically outweighing all other types.
    • Pallas (launched 1808 at Basse-Indre)
    • Elbe (launched 1808 at Basse-Indre) - renamed Calypso August 1814.
    • Amélie
      French frigate Amélie (1808)
      The Amélie was a 46-gun Pallas class frigate of the French Navy.On 21 October 1809, she sailed from Toulon to escort a convoy bound for Barcelona...

       (launched 1808 at Toulon) - renamed Junon April 1814.
    • Clorinde
      French frigate Clorinde (1808)
      The Clorinde was a 40-gun Pallas-class frigate of the French Navy, designed by Sané.From June 1809, she was stationed with the 16-gun Milan and the 38-gun Renommée. In September, she sailed with Renommée, Loire and Seine to Guadeloupe...

       (launched 1808 at Painboeuf) - captured by British Navy 1814, becoming HMS Aurora.
    • Renommée (launched 1808 at Basse-Indre) - captured by British Navy 1811, becoming HMS Java
      HMS Java (1811)
      HMS Java was a British Royal Navy 38-gun fifth-rate frigate. She was originally launched in 1805 as the Renommée, described as a 40-gun Pallas-class French Navy frigate, but the vessel actually carried 46 guns...

      .
    • Elisa (launched 1808 at Le Havre) - wrecked 1810.
    • Favorita (launched 4 October 1808 at Venice for subsidiary "Italian" Navy) - to French Navy itself April 1810, renamed Favorite, burnt and destroyed by explosion at Battle of Lissa (1811)
      Battle of Lissa (1811)
      The Battle of Lissa was a naval action fought between a British frigate squadron and a substantially larger squadron of French and Venetian frigates and smaller ships on 13 March 1811 during the Adriatic campaign of the Napoleonic Wars...

      .
    • Astrée (launched 1809 at Cherbourg) - captured by British Navy 1810, becoming HMS Pomone
      HMS Pomone (1811)
      The Astrée was a 44-gun Pallas-class frigate of the French Navy, launched at Cherbourg in 1809. In December of the next year she captured HMS Africaine. The Royal Navy captured Astrée in 1810 and took her into service under her French name, but then in 1811 recommissioned her as HMS Pomone...

      .
    • Fidèle (launched 1809 at Flushing after capture on stocks) - captured by British Navy 1809, becoming HMS Laurel.
    • Adrienne
      French frigate Adrienne (1809)
      The Adrienne was a 46-gun frigate of the French Navy.On 29 March 1811, she departed Toulon with Amélie, escorting the storeship Dromadaire carrying 8 tonnes of gunpowder and ammunition to Corfu. Two days later, the ships ran across a British squadron comprising HMS Unite and HMS Ajax...

       (launched 1809 at Toulon) - renamed Aurore April 1814, then Dauphine September 1829 but reverted to Aurore August 1830.
    • Nymphe (launched 1810 at Basse-Indre)
    • Iphigénie
      French frigate Iphigénie (1810)
      The French frigate Iphigénie was a Pallas-class frigate of a nominal 44 guns, launched in 1810. The British captured her on 1814. The British named her HMS Palma, and then renamed her HMS Gloire...

       (launched 1810 at Cherbourg) - captured by British Navy 1814, becoming HMS Gloire.
    • Méduse (launched 1810 at Paimboeuf) - wrecked 1816.
    • Pregel (launched 1810 at St Malo) - renamed Eurydice August 1814.
    • Ariane (launched 1811 at Basse-Indre) - burnt 1812 to avoid capture.
    • Médée (launched 1811 at Genoa)- renamed Muiron 1850.
    • Andromaque (launched 1811 at Basse-Indre) - sunk in combat 1812.
    • Yssel (launched 1811 at Amsterdam) - handed over to new Dutch Navy 1814.
    • Carolina (launched 1811 at Naples)
    • Principessa di Bologna (ordered 1810 at Venice for subsidiary "Italian" Navy) - to French Navy itself April 1810, renamed Princesse de Bologne and launched 1811 - to Austrian Navy April 1814.
    • Gloire (launched 1811 at Le Havre)
    • Meuse (launched 1811 at Amsterdam) - handed over to new Dutch Navy 1814.
    • Terpsichore (launched 1812 at Antwerp) - captured by British Navy 1814, becoming HMS Modeste.
    • Erigone (launched 1812 at Antwerp)
    • Aréthuse
      French frigate Aréthuse (1812)
      The French frigate Aréthuse was a 46-gun 18-pounder frigate of the French Navy. She served during the Napoleonic Wars, took part in the conquest of Algeria and ended her days as a coal depot in Brest.-Cruise off West Africa, 1812-1813:...

       (launched 1812 at Paimboeuf)
    • Jahde (launched 1812 at Rotterdam) - renamed Psyché August 1814.
    • Trave (launched 1812 at Amsterdam) - captured by British Navy 1813, becoming HMS Trave.
    • Weser (launched 1812 at Amsterdam) - captured by British Navy 1813, becoming HMS Weser.
    • Melpomene (launched 1812 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1815, becoming HMS Melpomene.
    • Rubis
      French frigate Rubis (1812)
      The Rubis was a 40-gun Pallas-class frigate of the French Navy.- Career :On 25 November 1812, under Commander Ollivier, Rubis sailed from Nantes along with Aréthuse to intercept British trade off West Africa...

       (launched 1812 at Basse-Indre) - wrecked 1813.
    • Ems (launched 1812 at Rotterdam) - renamed Africaine August 1814.
    • Atalante (started as the Euridyce, launched 1812 at Lorient) - renamed Duchesse d'Angoulême July 1814.
    • Cérès (launched 1812 at Brest) - captured by British Navy 1814, becoming HMS Seine.
    • Piave (launched 1812 at Venice)
    • Dryade (launched 1812 at Genoa) - renamed Fleur de Lys in November 1814, reverted to Dryade March 1815 then Fleur de Lys again July 1815, finally Résolue August 1830.
    • Sultane (launched 30 May 1813 at Paimboeuf, near Nantes) - captured by British Navy 1814, becoming HMS Sultane.
    • Étoile
      French frigate Étoile (1813)
      The Étoile was a 44-gun of the French Navy.She sailed with the Sultane as a commerce raider. On 24 January 1814, the French squadron met with the frigates HMS Astra and HMS Creole....

       (launched 28 July 1813 at Paimboeuf, near Nantes) - captured by British Navy 1814, becoming HMS Topaze.
    • Rancune (launched 30 September 1813 at Toulon) - renamed Néréide in August 1814.
    • Amphitrite (launched October 1814 at Venice) - seized by the Austrians at Venice's capture, becoming Austrian Navy's Anfitrite.
    • Cybele (launched 11 April 1815 at Le Havre) - renamed Remise 1850.
    • Duchesse de Berry  (launched 25 August 1816 at Lorient) - renamed Victoire August 1830.
    • Constance (launched 2 September 1818 at Brest) - hulked 1836, broken up after 1837.
    • Thétis (launched 3 May 1819 at Toulon) - renamed Lanninon April 1865.
    • Astrée (launched 28 April 1820 at Lorient)
    • Armide (launched 1 May 1821 at Lorient)


18-pounder frigates captured or purchased by French Navy
  • Berouse 36/40 (c. 1764, ex-Maltese Santa Maria del Pilar, captured 1798) - BU c. 1798
  • Carthagenoise 40 (1782, ex-Maltese Santa Elizabetta, captured 1798) - Captured by Britain c. 1800, BU c. 1800
  • Success 32 (ex-British Success, captured 1801)
  • Avtroil 32 (ex-Russian, captured 1809, ex-Swedish, captured 1789/90)
  • Corcyre 44 (ex-Russian Legkii, captured 1809) - Reduced to 26 guns c. 1810, captured by Britain 1811
  • Former British 18-pounder frigates captured 1809-1810
    • Proserpine (ex British Proserpine, captured February 1809). Taken to pieces 1865.
    • Iphigénie
      HMS Iphigenia (1805)
      HMS Iphigenia was a Royal Navy 36-gun Perseverance-class fifth-rate frigate. She was built at Chatham Dockyard by Master Shipwright Robert Seppings....

       (ex British Iphigenia, captured August 1810) - Retaken by British Navy December 1810.
    • Néreide
      French frigate Néréide (1779)
      The Néréide was a Sybille class 32-gun, copper-hulled, frigate of the French Navy. On 22 December 1797 HMS Phoebe captured her and she was taken into British service as HMS Nereide. The French recaptured her at the Battle of Grand Port, only to lose her again when the British took Île de France in...

       (ex British Nereide, captured August 1810; this was originally French Néreide captured by British Navy in December 1797) - Retaken by British Navy December 1810.
    • Ceylon
      HMS Bombay (1805)
      HCS Bombay, later HMS Bombay and HMS Ceylon, was a 672 ton fifth rate, 38-gun wooden warship built in the Bombay Dockyard for the Honourable East India Company and launched in 1793. The Royal Navy purchased her in 1805 and renamed her HMS Bombay. She served with the Royal Navy under that name...

       (ex British Ceylon, originally Bombay, captured September 1810) - Retaken by British Navy the following day.

24-pounder armed frigates

France experimented early with heavy frigates, with a pair being built in 1772 (however the 24-pounder guns of this pair were quickly replaced by 18-pounders in service). More were constructed in the French Revolution, but the Romaine Class of "frégate-bombardes", to which curious design (incorporating a heavy mortar into the design) at least thirteen vessels were ordered (24 were originally planned), proved over-gunned, and no further 24-pounder armed frigates were begun until after 1815.
  • Résistance Class  (design by Pierre Degay, with 30 x 24-pounder guns and 20 x 12-pounder guns)
    • Vengeance 50 (launched 8 November 1794 at Paimboeuf, Nantes) - captured by British Navy 1800, becoming HMS Vengeance
      HMS Vengeance (1800)
      The Vengeance was a Résistance class frigate of the French Navy, noted for her fight with during the Quasi-War, an inconclusive engagement that left both ships heavily damaged. During the French Revolutionary Wars, hunted Vengeance down and captured her after a sharp action...

      .
    • Résistance 50 (launched 28 September 1795 at Paimboeuf, Nantes) - captured by British Navy 1797, becoming HMS Fisgard.
  • Forte Class (design by François Caro, with 30 x 24-pounder guns and 20 x 8-pounder guns)
    • Forte 50 (launched 26 September 1794 at Lorient) - captured by the British Navy 1799, becoming HMS Forte.
    • Egyptienne 50 (launched 17 July 1799 at Toulon) - captured by British Navy 1801, becoming HMS Egyptienne
      HMS Egyptienne (1799)
      Égyptienne was a French frigate launched at Toulon in 1799. Her first service was in Napoleon's Egyptian campaign of 1801, in which the British captured her at Alexandria. She famously carried the Rosetta Stone to Woolwich, and then the Admiralty commissioned her into the Royal Navy as the 40-gun...

      .
  • Romaine Class
    Romaine class frigate
    The Romaine class was a class of nine 42-gun frigates of the French Navy, designed in 1794 by Pierre-Alexandre Forfait. They were originally designated as "bomb-frigates" and were intended to carry a main armament of twenty 24-pounder guns and a 12-inch mortar. Experience quickly led to the...

     (design by Pierre-Alexandre Forfait, initially given 20 x 24-pounder guns and a 12-inch mortar, although all those completed were later armed or re-armed with 18-pounder guns and no mortar)
    • Romaine
      French frigate Romaine (1794)
      The Romaine was the lead ship of the Romaine class frigate of the French Navy.She took part in the Expédition d'Irlande and in the Battle of Tory Island....

       (launched 25 September 1794 at Le Havre)
    • Immortalité
      French frigate Immortalité (1795)
      The Immortalité was a Romaine class frigate of the French Navy.She took part in the Expédition d'Irlande, and was captured shortly after the Battle of Tory Island by HMS Fisgard...

       (launched 7 January 1795 at Lorient) - captured by the British Navy 1798, becoming HMS Immortalite.
    • Impatiente
      French frigate Impatiente (1795)
      The Impatiente was a Romaine class frigate of the French Navy.She took part in the Expédition d'Irlande, where she was wrecked on 29 December 1796. Only 7 survived, and 420 were lost.-References:...

       (launched 12 March 1795 at Lorient)
    • Incorruptible
      French frigate Incorruptible (1795)
      The Incorruptible was a Romaine class frigate of the French Navy.On 15 July 1796, under captain Bescond, she fought against the 56-gun HMS Glatton.In 1800, she was involved in the battle of Dunkirk....

       (launched 20 May 1795 at Dieppe)
    • Revanche
      French frigate Revanche (1795)
      The Revanche was a Romaine class frigate of the French Navy.-References:...

       (launched 31 August 1795 at Dieppe)
    • Libre
      French frigate Libre (1796)
      The Libre was a Romaine-class frigate of the French Navy. She was built at Le Havre, and though launched in 1796, was not placed into service until 1798. She sailed from Le Havre in March 1801 in the company of Indienne towards Cherbourg, then Cadiz and La Corogne under Captaine de Frégate Bourdet...

       (launched 11 February 1796 at Le Havre)
    • Comète
      French frigate Comète (1796)
      The Comète was a Romaine class frigate of the French Navy.She took part in the Atlantic campaign of 1806 and in the Battle of San Domingo.From June 1808, she was used as a mast machine in Bayonne, and was eventually broken up in 1810.-References:...

       (launched 11 March 1796 at Le Havre)
    • Désirée
      French frigate Désirée (1796)
      The Désirée was a Romaine class frigate of the French Navy.She was captured in a Raid on Dunkirk by HMS Dart, under Patrick Campbell, on 8 July 1800.-References:...

       (launched 23 April 1796 at Dunkirk) - captured by the British Navy 1800, becoming HMS Desiree.
    • Poursuivante (launched 24 May 1796 at Dunkirk)
    • Three further vessels begun in 1795/98 were intended to be of this class - Pallas at Saint Malo, and Furieuse and Guerrière at Cherbourg; but all were completed as 18-pounder armed frigates (see above) A thirteenth vessel to this design - the Fatalité (ordered in 1793 at Saint Malo) was never completed.

24-pounder armed frigates

  • Jeanne d'Arc Class (1817 Programme)
    • Jeanne d'Arc (launched 1820 at Brest)
    • Clorinde (launched 1821 at Cherbourg)
    • Amazone (launched 1821 at Brest)
    • Vestale (launched 1822 at Rochefort)
    • Vénus (launched 1823 at Lorient)
    • Cérès (launched 1823 at Toulon)
    • Syrène (launched 1823 at Toulon)
    • Atalante (launched 1825 at Lorient)
    • Two further vessels begun in 1822 were intended to be of this class - Melpomène at Cherbourg and Didon at Toulon; but both were completed as 30-pounder armed frigates
  • Artémise Class (50-gun second rate type)
    • Artémise (launched 1828 at Lorient) - became pontoon at Lorient 1840, renamed Arc-en-Ciel, BU 1884.
    • Andromède (launched 1833 at Lorient) - became pontoon at Rochefort 1860, BU 1887.
    • Gloire (launched 1837 at Rochefort) - wrecked 1847 off Korea.
    • Poursuivante (launched 1844 at Toulon) - deleted 1889.
    • Virginie (launched 1842 at Rochefort) - became pontoon at Brest 1868, BU 1888.
    • Cléopatre (launched 1838 ar St Servan) - became ordnance magazine at Cherbourg 1869.
    • Danae (launched 1838 at St Servan) - fitted as steam-assisted frigate 1857.
    • Néreide (launched 1836 at Lorient) - became guardship at Brest 1896.

    • Némésis
      French frigate Némésis (1847)
      The French frigate Némésis was an Artémise class screw-powered 50-gun second rate frigate of the French Navy in the 19th century. She was launched in 1847 at Brest, and participated in campaigns in Asia....

       (launched 1847 at Brest) - harbour service at Lorient 1866, BU 1889.
    • Zénobie (launched 1847 at Toulon) - fitted as steam-assisted frigate 1857.
    • Alceste (launched 1846 at Cherbourg) - became pontoon at Gabon 1891.
    • Pandore (launched 1846 at Brest) - fitted as steam-assisted frigate 1857.
    • Sibylle (launched 1847 at Toulon) - became pontoon at Toulon 1883.
    • Reine Blanche (launched 1837 at Cherbourg) - became pontoon at Rochefort 1885.
    • Another unit of this class - Clorinde at Brest - was cancelled in 1838.
  • Bellone (launched 1853 at Cherbourg) - fitted as steam-assisted frigate 1856.

30-pounder armed frigates

  • Surveillante Class (60-gun first rate type, 1822 design with 30 x 30-pounder guns, 28 x 30-pounder carronades and 2 x 18-pounder guns - later units had altered 60-gun armament)
    • Surveillante (launched 29 September 1825 at Lorient)
    • Belle Gabrielle (launched 28 June 1828 at Cherbourg) - renamed Indépendante 1830.
    • Melpomène (launched 28 July 1828 at Cherbourg)
    • Herminie (launched 25 August 1828 at Lorient)
    • Belle Poule
      French ship Belle Poule (1828)
      The Belle-Poule was a 60-gun frigate of the French Navy, famous for bringing the remains of Napoléon from Saint Helena back to France in what became known as the retour des cendres....

       (launched 26 March 1834 at Cherbourg)
    • Sémillante
      French frigate Sémillante (1841)
      The Sémillante was a 60-gun frigate of the French Navy.She took part in the Crimean war from 1854 as a transport. In February 1855, under Captain Jugan, she departed Toulon with a crew of 301 and 392 soldiers as reinforcements for the French army...

       (launched 6 February 1841 at Lorient) - wrecked 1855.
    • Andromaque (launched 8 March 1841 at Lorient)
    • Forte (launched 16 September 1841 at Cherbourg)
  • Iphigénie Class (60-gun first rate type, 1823 design with 30 x 30-pounder guns, 28 x 30-pounder carronades and 2 x 18-pounder guns)
    • Iphigénie (launched 3 May 1827 at Toulon)
  • Terpsichore Class (60-gun first rate type, 1823 design with 30 x 30-pounder guns, 28 x 30-pounder carronades and 2 x 18-pounder guns)
    • Terpsichore (launched 12 May 1827 at Brest)
  • Dryade Class (60-gun first rate type, 1824 design with 30 x 30-pounder guns, 28 x 30-pounder carronades and 2 x 18-pounder guns)
    • Dryade (launched 12 July 1827 at Rochefort) - renamed 'Caroline 1828 but reverted to Dryade 1830
    • Didon (launched 15 July 1828 at Toulon)
    • Renommée (launched 28 July 1847 at Rochefort) - fitted as steam-assisted frigate 1858.
  • Uranie Class (60-gun first rate type, 1826 design with 30 x 30-pounder guns, 28 x 30-pounder carronades and 2 x 18-pounder guns)
    • Uranie (launched 28 July 1832 at Toulon)
  • Persévérante Class (60-gun first rate type, 1829 design with 30 x 30-pounder guns, 28 x 30-pounder carronades and 2 x 18-pounder guns)
    • Persévérante (launched 28 June 1847 at Brest)
  • Vengeance Class (60-gun first rate type, 1829 design with 30 x 30-pounder guns, 28 x 30-pounder carronades and 2 x 18-pounder guns)
    • Vengeance (launched 1 July 1848 at Lorient)
    • Entreprenante (launched 1858 at Lorient)- completed as a steam-assisted troopship 1859
  • Pénélope Class (40-gun third rate type, 1830 design with 22 x 30-pounder guns, 14 x 30-pounder carronades and 4 x 30-pounder obusiers)
    • Erigone (launched 1836 at St Servan)
    • Africaine (launched 1839 at St Servan)
    • Jeanne d'Arc (launched 1839 at Lorient)
    • Pénélope (launched 1840 at Lorient)
    • Chartre (launched 1842 at Brest)
    • Psyché (launched 1844 at Brest)
    • Clorinde (launched 1845 at Cherbourg) - fitted as steam-assisted frigate 1856.
    • Héliopolis (launched 1847 at Rochefort)
    • Algérie (launched 1848 at Rochefort)
    • Isis (launched 1851 at Brest)

See also

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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