French frigate Sémillante (1792)
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| Career (France) |   |
|---|---|
| Name: | Sémillante |
| Builder: | Lorient |
| Laid down: | December 1790 |
| Launched: | 25 November 1791 |
| In service: | May 1792 |
| Fate: |
Sold in 1808 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Sémillante class frigate |
| Tons burthen: | 600 tonnes |
| Length: | 45.5 metres |
| Beam: | 11.5 metres |
| Draught: | 5.5 metres |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Sail plan: | Ship |
| Armament: |
32 guns |
The Sémillante ("Shiny") was a 32-gun frigate of the French Navy.
In 1798, she took part in the Expédition d'Irlande, and notably the Battle of Tory Island.
On 9 April 1799, Sémillante, along with Vengeance and Cornélie, encountered and fought HMS San Fiorenzo and HMS Amelia off Belle Île.
In 1804, she was transferred to Île de France to engage in commerce raiding. She captured the Honourable East India Company’s ships Fame and James Drumond, and on 8 June 1806, Acteon, Warren Hastings and Active.
Between 15 March and 18 March 1808, she fought a running battle with HMS Terpsichore, and escaped to Île de France. Seriously damaged, her armament was removed on 10 July. In September Robert Surcouf purchased Sémillante after his own ship Revenant had been requisitioned for the defence of the island. She was renamed Charles, and in her Surcouf returned to Saint-Malo laden with the spoils of his campaign.
In December 1809, she was captured by the British.[citation needed].
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- The Naval History of Great Britain, 1793 - 1820, Volumes II and IV, by William James, R. Bentley, London, 1837.
