Name Protecteur Laid down 29 May 1757 Beam 14.1 m (46 ft 3 in) Launched 21 May 1760 Tonnage 1.55 million kg | Namesake "Protector" Decommissioned 1784 Construction started 1757 Length 53 m Builder Toulon | |
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Class and type Souverain-class 74-gun ship of the line | ||
Protecteur was a Souverain-class 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy, the only to have borne the name.
Contents
Career
She was laid down in 1757 and launched in 1760.
In 1762, under Captain de L'Ilsle Calian, Protecteur was part of Bompart's squadron. In 1766, she escorted merchantmen under Captain de Broves.
In 1788, Under Captain Dapchon, Protecteur was appointed to Admial d'Estaing's squadron and took part in the American revolutionary war. She was present at the Battle of Grenada.
In 1782, Protecteur was part of the escort of a 20-sail convoy, along with the ship Pégase and the frigates Indiscrète and Andromaque. The English HMS Foudroyant and HMS Queen intercepted, yielding the Third Battle of Ushant in which they captured Pégase and four transports, but where the rest of the French convoy escaped.
From 1784, Protecteur was hulked and used as a hospital in Rochefort.
Legacy
A model of a 64-ship of the line on display at the Musée de la Marine is labelled as representing Protecteur, probably as the result of an error of Admiral Pâris. The model is probably that of Protée (1748 - 1771).