Name Alcide Laid down July 1781 Construction started July 1781 Length 55 m | Builder Rochefort In service January 1783 Launched 25 May 1782 Draft 6.8 m | |
Fate Destroyed at the Battle of Hyères Class and type 74-gun Pégase class ship of the line | ||
The Alcide was a 74-gun Pégase class ship of the line of the French Navy, launched in 1782.
In 1782, she took part in the American war of Independence in De Grasse's fleet.
She took part in the Battle of Hyères, under captain Le Blond Saint-Hilaire. She was the last ship of the French rear when she was becalmed and had to fight HMS Victory, Culloden, and Cumberland. She managed to damage the rigging of Culloden and almost dismasted Victory, but was quickly battered by her overwhelmingly superior opponents. She surrendered to Cumberland at 2h. The frigates Justice and Alceste attempted to take her in tow to safety, but were repelled by gunfire from Victory.
Soon thereafter, a fire broke out, reportedly in her tops or by her own Heated shots. She exploded 30 minutes afterwards with the loss of 300.