French ship Soleil-Royal (1749)

For other ships with the same name, see French ship Soleil-Royal.
The Soleil Royal (right) battling the Royal George during the battle of Quiberon Bay.
Nicholas Pocock, 1812. National Maritime Museum
History
France
Namesake: "Royal Sun"
Builder: Brest
Laid down: March 1748
Launched: 30 June 1749
Commissioned: April 1750
Homeport: Brest
Fate: Scuttled on 21 November 1759
General characteristics
Displacement: 3800 tonnes
Length: 59.2 m (194 ft)
Beam: 15.6 m (51 ft)
Draught: 7.6 m (25 ft)
Propulsion: Sails
Complement: 1000 men, 14 officers
Armament:

The Soleil-Royal was a ship in the French navy, the third ship of that name. She was the first 80-gun two-decker to use the 24-pounder long gun on her second battery, giving her a considerable firepower for the time and allowing her to challenge three-deckers. Her name Soleil-Royal, honouring the French crown and usually reserved for the largest units of the Navy, testifies of the change of focus from large three-deckers onto strong two-deckers.[1]

She was Brienne's flagship at the battle of Quiberon Bay, where she ran aground and was burnt to prevent her capture.

Sources and references


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