French frigate Chimère
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Chimère was a 32-gun frigate of the French Navy. She notably took part in the War of American Independence.
| History | |
|---|---|
 France | |
| Name | Chimère |
| Ordered | 18 October 1756 [1] |
| Builder | Toulon [1] |
| Laid down | January 1757 [1] |
| Launched | 6 February 1758 [1] |
| Fate | Sold 1783 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | frigate |
| Displacement | 1200 tonneaux |
| Tons burthen | 610 port tonneaux |
| Length | 44.2 metres |
| Beam | 11.6 metres |
| Depth of hold | 4.7 metres |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Armament | 26 × 12-pounder long guns |
Career
Chimère was ordered as a privateer by the Chamber of commerce of Marseille on 18 October 1756. On 10 October 1757, the French Navy purchased her, while still under construction.[1]
She first served in the Mediterranean under Faucher. In 1758, she returned Turkish prisoners to Constantinople.[2] She was next under L'Isle Taulanne, and Tressemanes.[1]
On 13 April 1778, Chimère departed Toulon, under Saint-Césaire, as part of a squadron under Admiral d'Estaing Sagittaire, along with Languedoc, Tonnant, César, Zélé, Hector, Guerrier, Marseillais, Protecteur, Vaillant, Provence and Fantasque.[3][1]
She fought at the Battle of St. Lucia on 15 December 1778, where she was tasked to bombard the British battery on the Southern peninsula, along with the 50-gun Sagittaire.[4]
On 9 June 1779, Vengeur and Sagittaire, along with the frigates Chimère and Aimable, departed for Martinique under Brach as a distraction to cover Du Rumain's departure, who was sailing for his Capture of Saint Vincent with Lavely, Lys and four transports.[5]
On 8 July 1778, she was at Sandy Hook, and was sent to Philadelphia to ferry Ambassador Rayneval.[1]
She then took part in the Siege of Savannah,[1][6] under Trolong du Rumain.[6]
Fate
From 1780, Chimère was loaned to be used as a merchantman. In August 1783, she was sold.[1]