The new range of French 64 gun Artesien class ships

[redlancer38]

The new range of French 64 gun Artesien class ships are actually dated as pre-French revolutionary vessels. I know that the Protee was captured by the British but what of the longevity of the other three variants? Did any of them see action in the Napoleonic Wars? I have to admit that my knowledge of Napoleonic naval warfare is scant to say the least.

[Diamondback]

None made it that long, IIRC; if memory serves their last hurrah was the Indian Ocean campaign of the AWI--these were 1760s/Seven Years War-era ships, and the 64 was a dying breed even before the AWI.

--Artesien 1765-1786; hulked
--Roland 1771-1779; burned
--Alexandre 1771-1782; captured and BU without recommission
--Protee 1772-1780 / HMS Prothee 1780-1815 (prison ship from 1799)
--Eveille 1772-1786; condemned
Per Rif Winfield, the Artesien design is pretty much your "Generic French 64," not much difference between these five and most of their other 64's beyond finer details.

The Caton class of two were used as a stretch to provide a Side B for HMS Prothee after I personally threw a screaming hissy-fit to scuttle their original plan of using the taken-but-broken-up Actionnaire.
--Caton 1777-1782 / HMS Caton 1782-1815 (harbor service from 1798)
--Jason 1779-1782 / HMS Argonaut 1782-1828 (harbor service 1797-1804; hospital hulk from 1804)

Also of note are possible ancestors to the Catons, the three Solitaires also designed by Antoine Groignard.
--Solitaire 1774-1782 / HMS Solitaire 1782-1790
--Brillant 1774-1797 (hulked as Cherbourg guardship from 1787)
--Reflechi 1776-? (hulked 1788, razeed and renamed Turot 1793, no further mention in historical record)

There are some errors in it assigning certain ships to design families so doublecheck everything, but this page is a good start point.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...line_of_France

[redlancer38]

What a fantastic reply Diamondback. I've learned something here. Much appreciated.

[Bligh]

Thanks for that expose of these vessels DB. For anyone without the right book it helps to show where they can be used historically very well.
Rob.

[Diamondback]

Sorry, missed Roland's end... will edit it in later.