HMS Prothee (1772)
Protee was a Joseph-Louis Ollivier designed Artesien Class 64 gun ship of the line of the French Navy, built from the February of 1771,launched on the 10th of November,1772, and completed in the February of 1773.
History FRANCE Name: Protée Launched: 1772 Captured: 24 February 1780, by Royal Navy GREAT BRITAIN Name: Prothee Acquired: 24 February 1780 Fate: Broken up, 1815 General characteristics Class and type: Artesian Class 64 gun ship of the line Tons burthen: 1480 (bm) Length: 164 ft 1 in (50.01 m) (gundeck) Beam: 44 ft 7 in (13.59 m) Depth of hold: 19 ft (5.8 m) Propulsion: Sails Sail plan: Full rigged ship Armament: LD 26 x 24pdrs
UD 26 x 18 pdrs
QD 10 x 9 pdrs
Fc 2 x 9 pdrs
Service.
On the 16th of February, 1780, Protée under the command of Captain Charles Louis du Chilleau de la Roche and acting as the flagship escorting a convoy bound for India, with troops and ammunition sailed from the port of Lorient.
On the 23rd of February, just off the Spanish Biscay coast the convoy met Admiral Rodney’s fleet. Hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned, Protée struck while Charmante retreated to Lorient, arriving there on the 3rd of March. In the action, three merchantmen were also taken. Although Court-martialled for the loss of his ship, Duchilleau was honourably acquitted.
British service.
Protée was commissioned into the Royal Navy on the 3rd of March 1780 as the 64 gun third rate ship of the line HMS Prothee, fitted at Spithead for £5,330.9.8d.
Refitted and coppered at Portsmouth for £14.036.7.4dbetween the March and July of 1781 she saw her first and only action under the British flag, commanded by Captain Buckner, on the 12th of April, 1782 against a huge French fleet at the Battle of the Saints. Serving in the Centre, during the battle she lost five killed and 25 men wounded.
In the August of 1783 she was paibd off after wartime service.
She was converted to serve as a prison ship at Portsmouth in the September of 1795, she was recommissioned in the December of 1796 under Lieutenant Joseph Novil Eastwood, and then under Lieutenant William Bevians in the September of 1797.Her next commander was Lieutenant John Mackenzie from 1798 to 1800, followed by William Taylor, and then William Todman until1811. Lieutenant Timothy Bird followed, and finally Lieutenant Abraham Chapman during 1813 and 1814.
HMS Prothee was broken up at Portsmouth in the September of 1815. Eight of her small cannons were purchased by John Manners, 5th Duke of Rutland and are currently on display at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire. The cannon are still fired on special occasions, such as weddings and the Duke's birthday.
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