French frigate Vénus (1780)

Vénus was a 32-gun frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her class.

History
French Navy EnsignFrance
NameVénus
NamesakeVenus
BuilderSt. Malo[1]
Launched1780[1]
FateRan aground, 5 August 1781[1]
General characteristics
TypeFrigate
Armament32 guns
Gun of the Vénus, on display in Concarneau

Career

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Vénus was launched in Saint-Malo in 1780. Under Captain Gouzillon de Bélizal,[2] she patrolled between Île de Ré, Nantes and Brest and escorted convoys. In this capacity, she captured the British privateer Lord Amherst on 16 June 1781.[1][3]

She was wrecked on 5 August 1781 near Glénan Islands, off Concarneau, when she ran aground due to a navigation error of the pilot. The crew was saved, but in spite of efforts to refloat her, she became a total loss.[1]

Her guns were found in 1978, and are now on display in Concarneau.

Citations

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Roche (2005), p. 459.
  2. ^ Contenson (1934), p. 185.
  3. ^ Rouxel, Jean-Christophe. "André Marie GOUZILLON de BELIZAL". Parcours de vie dans la Royale. Retrieved 14 May 2020.

References

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