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French ship Vestale (1756)
Encyclopedia
The Vestale was a Blonde class 30-gun frigate
of the French Navy
.
She was captured by HMS Unicorn
at the Battle of Quiberon Bay
, 8 January 1761, and recommissioned in the Royal Navy
as HMS Flora. She was scuttled by the British on 8 August 1778, as they left Rhode Island
.
She was refloated, repaired and sold to the French Navy in 1784, where she was known as Flore américaine, to distinguish her from another Flore built since. She was used as a commerce raider from 1794. On 7 September 1798, she was captured by HMS Phaeton and sold for scrap.
A model is on display at the Musée de la Marine in Paris, and another in the naval museum in Toulon.
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
of the French Navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
.
She was captured by HMS Unicorn
HMS Unicorn (1748)
HMS Unicorn was a 28-gun Lyme-class sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She was originally ordered as a 24-gun ship to the draft of the French privateer Tyger. The third vessel of the Royal Navy to bear the name, the Unicorn, as well as which was a near-sister, were the first true frigates built...
at the Battle of Quiberon Bay
Battle of Quiberon Bay
The naval Battle of Quiberon Bay took place on 20 November 1759 during the Seven Years' War in Quiberon Bay, off the coast of France near St. Nazaire...
, 8 January 1761, and recommissioned in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
as HMS Flora. She was scuttled by the British on 8 August 1778, as they left Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
.
She was refloated, repaired and sold to the French Navy in 1784, where she was known as Flore américaine, to distinguish her from another Flore built since. She was used as a commerce raider from 1794. On 7 September 1798, she was captured by HMS Phaeton and sold for scrap.
A model is on display at the Musée de la Marine in Paris, and another in the naval museum in Toulon.