French frigate Diligente (1761)

Diligente was a 26-gun frigate of the French Navy. Originally built for the French East India Company, she was purchased by the Navy and took part in the War of American Independence.

For other ships with the same name, see French ship Diligente.
History
France
Name: Diligente
Builder: Lorient, plans by Groignard[1]
Laid down: December 1755[2]
Launched: 28 April 1756[2]
In service: April 1761[2]
Fate: Wrecked off Cape Henry in January 1782[2]
General characteristics [2]
Tons burthen: 520 tonnes
Length: 39.6 metres
Beam: 10.3 metres
Depth of hold: 4.7 metres
Armament: Pierced for 26 guns

Career

Diligente was built at Lorient as an East Indiaman for the French East India Company, and was completed in December 1756. She departed for her first journey on 31.[2]

On 26 March 1761, she arrived in Brest, returning from her second journey to India. The next month, the Navy purchased her and commissioned her as a frigate.[2]

In 1776, she was under Lieutenant Amblimont, part on the escadre d'évolution under Duchaffault.[2]

In September 1778, she took part in the Invasion of Dominica, along with the frigates Tourterelle and Amphitrite, and the corvette French corvette Étourdie (1762).[2] She later took part in the French invasion of Saint Martin on 29 February 1779 under Du Chilleau.

On 25 September 1780, Diligente captured the British cutter HMS Alert off Gironde. The French brought her into service as Alerte.[3]

She was at the Battle of Fort Royal on 29 April and 30 April 1781, under Mortemart.[4][5][6]

In September, she ferried troops to support the Siege of Yorktown.[2]

Fate

Diligente was wrecked at Cape Henry in January 1782.[2]

Sources and references

Notes

    References

    1. Roche (2005), p. 27.
    2. Roche (2005), p. 152.
    3. Roche (2005), p. 32.
    4. Kerguelen (1796), p. 182-183.
    5. Troude (1867), p. 100—101.
    6. Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 648—649.

    Bibliography

    • Kerguelen, Yves-Joseph (1796). Relation des combats et des évènements de la guerre maritime de 1778 entre la France et l'Angleterre (in French). Imprimerie de Patris.
    • Lacour-Gayet, Georges (1905). La marine militaire de la France sous le règne de Louis XVI. Paris: Honoré Champion. OCLC 763372623.
    • Roche, Jean-Michel (2005). Dictionnaire des bâtiments de la flotte de guerre française de Colbert à nos jours. 1. Group Retozel-Maury Millau. ISBN 978-2-9525917-0-6. OCLC 165892922. (1671-1870)
    • Troude, Onésime-Joachim (1867). Batailles navales de la France (in French). 2. Challamel ainé. OCLC 836362484.


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