French ship Zodiaque (1756)

Zodiaque was a 74-gun Diadème-class ship of the line of the French Navy.

History
French Navy Ensign France
NameZodiaque
NamesakeZodiac
BuilderBrest [1]
Laid downOctober 1755 [1]
Launched18 November 1756 [1]
In serviceFebruary 1757[1]
FateSold in 1784 [1]
General characteristics
Class and typeDiadème-class ship of the line
Tons burthen1500 tonnes
Length54.6 metres
Beam14.1 metres
Draught6.8 metres
PropulsionSail
Armament
ArmourTimber

Career

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Seven Years' War

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In 1757, Zodiaque was under d'Aché.[3][4] on 5 June, she helped capture a British corvette.[1]

She took part in the Battle of Pondicherry on 10 September 1759.[5] In 1760, she was under La Tullaye at Isle de France.[6]

Interwar

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In 1776, Zodiaque was under Du Chaffault,[7] as flagship of his division in the Escadre d'évolution that year.[8]

War of American Independence

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In 1778, Zodiaque was in the First Division of the White squadron in the fleet under Orvilliers.[9][10] She took part in the Battle of Ushant on 27 July 1778 under La Porte Vézins,[11][12] with Cicé-Champion as first officer.[9] The year after, she was attached to the Armada of 1779.[13]

In 1780, Zodiaque was under Roquefeuil-Montpeyroux.[14] On 6 June, she and Néréide captured the 10-gun British privateer cutter Prince of Wales.[1]

In 1781, Zodiaque was at Brest under Retz.[15]

In 1782, Zodiaque was first under Senneville,[16] and later under Langan-Boisfévrier, who captained her at the Battle of Cape Spartel on 20 October 1782.[17][16]

Fate

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Zodiaque was sold in 1784.[1]

Citations

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References

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  • 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 (1905). La marine militaire de la France sous le règne de Louis XVI. Paris: Honoré Champion. OCLC 763372623.
  • Troude, Onésime-Joachim (1867). Batailles navales de la France (in French). Vol. 2. Challamel ainé.
  • Roche, Jean-Michel (2005). Dictionnaire des bâtiments de la flotte de guerre française de Colbert à nos jours. Vol. 1. Group Retozel-Maury Millau. ISBN 978-2-9525917-0-6. OCLC 165892922.
  • Taillemite, Étienne (1982). Dictionnaire des Marins français. Paris: Éditions maritimes et d'Outre-Mer. ISBN 9782707000316.
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