French frigate Prudente (1790)

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File:Cybèle and Prudente vs English ship and frigate 22 dec 1794-Durand Brager img 3104.jpg
Cybèle and Prudente fighting HMS Centurion and HMS Diomede.
Career (France) French Navy Ensign French Navy Ensign
Name: Prudente
Namesake: Prudency
Builder: Lorient
Laid down: May 1789
Launched: 21 September 1790
In service: October 1790
Captured: 9 February 1799
General characteristics
Class and type: Capricieuse class frigate
Displacement: 600 tonnes
Length: 44.2 metres
Beam: 11.2 metres
Draught: 5.5 metres
Propulsion: Sail
Armament: 32 guns
Armour: Timber

The Prudente was a32-gun Capricieuse class frigate frigate of the French Navy.

In 1791, under lieutenant Villaret de Joyeuse, she was tasked with ferrying troops to Cap Français and with police duty in Santo Domingo. In 1793, she returned to France, escorting a convoy from Terre-Neuve, under Villaret de Joyeuse, by then promoted to Captain.

On 22 October 1794, soon after the outbreak of the wat with England, and along with the 40-gun Cybèle and the brig Coureur, she fought HMS Centurion and HMS Diomede, who blockaded Ile de France. The French ships managed to drive away the British ships.

She served a time at Mauritius, before being sold and becoming a privateer.

She was captured in that capacity by HMS Daedalus on 24 February 1799

Sources and references