French frigate Désirée
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Désirée was a Romaine-class frigate of the French Navy, launched at Dunkirk in 1794. The British Royal Navy captured her in 1800 and took her into service under her existing name. She was laid up in 1815, and in 1823 converted to a slop ship (a vessel for the storage and distribution of sailor's clothing). She was sold in 1832.
Capture of Désirée by HMS Dart | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 France | |
| Name | Désirée |
| Ordered | 19 March 1794 |
| Builder | Dunkirk |
| Laid down | 10 February 1794 |
| Launched | 23 April 1796 |
 Great Britain | |
| Name | HMS Desiree |
| Acquired | 8 July 1800 by capture |
| Fate | Sold 22 August 1832 |
| General characteristics [1][2] | |
| Class & type | Romaine-class frigate |
| Displacement | 700 tonnes |
| Tons burthen | 1,01650⁄94 (bm) |
| Length | 45.5 m (149 ft 3 in) |
| Beam | 11.8 m (38 ft 9 in) |
| Draught | 5 m (16 ft 5 in) |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Complement |
|
| Armament |
|
| Armour | Timber |
Capture
HMS Dart, under Patrick Campbell, captured Désirée on 8 July 1800 in the Raid on Dunkirk.[3] Many British vessels shared in the proceeds of the capture.[4]
British career
Desiree shared with Britomart in the proceeds of the capture on 5 January 1810 of Lynboom, Myden, master.[5]
On 7 May 1813, she was under the command of Captain Arthur Farquarh when she captured the American schooner Decatur.[a]
On 17 July 1813 she captured the French privateer Esperance.[b]
Fate
Desiree was laid up at Sheerness in August 1815. Between January and November 1823 she was fitted as a slop ship. She was sold for £2,020 on 22 August 1832 to Joseph Christie at Rotherhithe.[2]