French ship Scipion (1779)

Scipion was a French warship of the 18th century, lead ship of her class. It was completed in 1779.

For other ships with the same name, see French ship Scipion.

Scipion raking HMS London during the Action of 18 October 1782.
History
France
Name: Scipion
Honours and
awards:
Fate: Ran aground 1782
General characteristics
Class and type: Scipion-class ship of the line
Tons burthen: 1,500 tonnes
Length: 53.8 m (177 ft)
Beam: 14.1 m (46 ft)
Draught: 7.3 m (24 ft)
Propulsion: Sails
Armament: 74 to 78 guns of various weights of shot

Accounts cited that it was one of the three new naval vessels - along with Hercule (1798) and Pluton (1778) - built by the French that was so top-heavy, they nearly capsized.[1][2] To correct Scipion's problem, a stowage was altered and a ballast replaced a part of the water supply.[3] These remedies, however, failed[3] so the French had to shorten the mast to make it seaworthy.[1]

Scipion took part in the American War of Independence, notably sailing at the rear of the French squadron at the Battle of the Chesapeake under Antoine Pierre de Clavel.[4][5][6]

18 October 1782, Scipion fires a broadside from her starboard side into Torbay and London

In the Action of 18 October 1782, under Captain Nicolas Henri de Grimouard, Scipion fought gallantly against two British ships of the line of 90 and 74 guns. Through good sailmanship, she managed to damage HMS London and escape, but was destroyed the next day after she was chased and ran aground.

Sources and references

Citations

  1. Dull, Jonathan R. (1975). The French Navy and American Independence: A Study of Arms and Diplomacy, 1774-1787. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. p. 146. ISBN 9781400868131.
  2. Morton, Brian N.; Spinelli, Donald C. (2003). Beaumarchais and the American Revolution. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books. p. 231. ISBN 0739104683.
  3. Reed, Edward James (2011). A Treatise on the Stability of Ships. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 222. ISBN 9781108026437.
  4. Lacour-Gayet (1910), p. 648.
  5. Contenson (1934), p. 159.
  6. Troude (1867), p. 140.

References



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