French ship Scipion (1779)

File:Combat du Scipion conte le London-Rossel de Cercy mg 5096.jpg Scipion raking HMS London during the Action of 18 October 1782.
Career (France)
Name:	Scipion
Honours and awards:	Participated in: Battle of the Chesapeake Action of 18 October 1782
Fate:	Ran aground 1782
General characteristics
Class and type:	Scipion class
Tons burthen:	1500 tonnes
Length:	53.8 tonnes
Beam:	14.1 tonnes
Draught:	7.3 metres
Propulsion:	Sails
Armament:	74 to 78 guns of various weights of shot

For other ships of the same name, see French ship Scipion.

The Scipion was a French warship of the 18th century, lead ship of her class.

Scipion took part in the American War of Independence, notably sailing at the rear of the French squadron at the Battle of the Chesapeake.

In the Action of 18 October 1782, under Captain Nicolas Henri de Grimouard, Scipion fought gallantly against two British ships of the line of 90 and 74 guns. Through good sailmanship, she managed to damage HMS London and escape, but was destroyed the next day after she was chased and ran aground.

References

• Allen, Joseph (1852). Battles of the British Navy. London: Henry Bohn. pp. 349–350. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=PVE2AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA350&dq=Scipion#PPA350,M1.