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History
France
NameOiseau
Namesakebird
BuilderRochefort[2]
Laid down1767[2]
Launched11 January 1769[1]
In serviceNovember 1770[1]
FateCaptured on 31 January 1779.[1]
General characteristics
Tons burthen485 tonnes
Length44.5 metres
Beam10.1 metres
Draught4.5 metres
PropulsionSail
Armament
ArmourTimber

Oiseau was a 32-gun frigate of the French Navy.

Career

In 1772, Oiseau was under Captain De Plas, and attached to the Escadre d'évolution under Orvilliers.[1][4]

From 1773 to 1775, she was attached to the 64-gun Roland for the Second voyage of Kerguelen, under Lieutenant Rosnevet.[5] The Baie de l'Oiseau was named in her honour.[1]

In 1775, she was again attached to the Escadre d'évolution, this time under Captain Bausset and Admiral Guichen. In 1777, she was part of the fleet of Du Chaffault, captained by Roquefeuil-Montpeyroux.[1]

Oiseau took part in the Battle of Ushant on 27 July 1778.[6] On 31 January 1779, as she escorted a convoy from Brest to Saint-Malo, Oiseau encountered the British 32-gun frigate HMS Apollo. The captain of Oiseau, Tarade, signaled the cutter Expéditive to lead the convoy, and detached to attack Apollo. In the subsequent battle, Oiseau lost her foretop, and struck her colours.[1][3]

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Roche (2005), p. 332.
  2. ^ a b Winfield (2017), p. 213.
  3. ^ a b Troude (1867), p. 47.
  4. ^ Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 605.
  5. ^ Henrat.
  6. ^ Troude (1867), p. 7.

References

External links

  • Henrat, Philippe. "SAULX de ROSNEVET , Charles Louis". Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques Institut rattaché à l’École nationale des chartes. Retrieved 5 June 2020.