 Scipion raking HMS London during the action of 18 October 1782.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 France | |
| Name | Scipion |
| Launched | 17 September 1778 |
| 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 |
Scipion was a French warship of the 18th century, lead ship of her class. She was completed in 1779.
Accounts cited that she 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 the ship 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]
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.
Citations[edit]
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Morton, Brian N.; Spinelli, Donald C. (2003). Beaumarchais and the American Revolution. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books. p. 231. ISBN 0739104683.
- ^ a b Reed, Edward James (2011). A Treatise on the Stability of Ships. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 222. ISBN 9781108026437.
- ^ Lacour-Gayet (1910), p. 648.
- ^ Contenson (1934), p. 159.
- ^ Troude (1867), p. 140.
References[edit]
- Allen, Joseph (1852). Battles of the British Navy. London: Henry Bohn. pp. 349–350.
Scipion.
- Contenson, Ludovic (1934). La Société des Cincinnati de France et la guerre d'Amérique (1778-1783). Paris: éditions Auguste Picard. OCLC 7842336.
- Lacour-Gayet, Georges (1910). La marine militaire de la France sous le règne de Louis XVI. Paris: Honoré Champion. pp. 431–434.
- Troude, Onésime-Joachim (1867). Batailles navales de la France (in French). Vol. 2. Challamel ainé.