French frigate Sibylle (1777)

Sibylle was a 32-gun copper-hulled, frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her class.

History
France
Name:	Sibylle
Builder:	Brest. Plans by Sané [1]
Laid down:	April 1777 [1]
Launched:	1 September 1777 [1]
Commissioned:	November 1777 [1]
Fate:	Captured by the British Royal Navy in 1783 and broken up in 1784
General characteristics [1]
Class and type:	Sybille-class
Length:	43.8 metres
Beam:	11.2 metres
Draught:	5.4 metres
Propulsion:	Sail
Complement:	260
Armament:	Gundeck:26 x 12-pounder gusn quarterdeck:8 x 8-pounder guns
Armour:	Timber

Career

Sibylle took part in the Battle of Ushant on 27 July 1778, under Kerhouan-Mahé.[1][2] She was part of the division under Lamotte-Piquet that captured 18 British merchantmen in the Action of 2 May 1781.[1]

In 1783, Sibylle was under Captain Kergariou Locmaria. On 2 January, she fought a hotly contested, and ultimately inconclusive Action of 2 January 1783 against HMS Magicienne.[1]

Sibylle effected repairs and returned to the sea, but ended up being captured by the 50-gun HMS Centurion and Hussar in the Action of 22 January 1783.[1]

Fate

The British broke up Sibylle in 1784.[1]

Notes, citations, and references

Notes

Citations

1. Roche (2005), p. 415.
2. Contenson (1934), p. 193.

References

• Contenson, Ludovic (1934). La Société des Cincinnati de France et la guerre d'Amérique (1778-1783). Paris: éditions Auguste Picard. OCLC 7842336.
• Roche, Jean-Michel (2005). Dictionnaire des bâtiments de la flotte de guerre française de Colbert à nos jours, 1671 - 1870. Group Retozel-Maury Millau. pp. 325–6. ISBN 978-2-9525917-0-6. OCLC 165892922.