French frigate Loire (1797)
| File:Loire img 3184.jpg Capture of Loire | |
| Career (France) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | Loire |
| Builder: | Nantes |
| Laid down: | April 1794 |
| Launched: | 1795 |
| In service: | December 1797 |
| Fate: |
Captured by HMS Kangaroo on 20 October 1798 |
| Career (UK) |  |
| Name: | HMS Loire |
| Acquired: | 17 December 1798 |
| Fate: | Broken up in 1816 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 700 tonnes |
| Length: | 46.3 metres |
| Beam: | 12 metres |
| Draught: | 5.8 metres |
| Propulsion: | Sail |
| Armament: |
44 guns: |
| Armour: | Timber |
The Loire was a 44-gun frigate of the French Navy.
French service
She took part in the Expédition d'Irlande, and in the Battle of Tory Island, where she battled HMS Kangaroo, HMS Robust and HMS Anson. On 17 October 1798, she was attacked again by HMS Mermaid, which she managed to repulse. The next day, she fought against HMS Kangaroo and HMS Anson, and struck after running out of ammunition.
British service
The Royal Navy recommissioned her as HMS Loire.
Loire, under the command of Captain Frederick Maitland, captured the Spanish ship Esperanza off Cape Finisterre. Esperanza was armed with 7 guns and 4 swivels, and had a crew of 50 men.
On 14 December 1805, along with HMS Egyptienne, she captured the French Libre, and took her in tow to Plymouth.
Fate
Loire was eventually broken up in 1816.
External links
References
- The Naval History of Great Britain, 1793 - 1820, Volumes II and III, William James, R. Bentley, London, 1837.
