French ship Courageux (1753)

For other ships with the same name, see French ship Courageux and HMS Courageux.

History
France
Name	Courageux
Launched	1753
Captured	13 August 1761, by Royal Navy
Great Britain
Name	Courageux
Builder	Brest
Acquired	13 August 1761
Fate	Wrecked off Gibraltar, 18 December 1796
General characteristics
Class and type	74-gun third-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	1,721 bm
Length	140 ft 10+3⁄8 in (42.9 m) (gundeck)
Beam	48 ft (14.6 m)
Depth of hold	20 ft 10+1⁄2 in (6.4 m)
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	French Navy: 74 guns Gundeck: 28 × 36-pounders Upper gundeck: 30 × 24-pounders Quarterdeck: 16 × 8-pounders Royal Navy: 74 guns Gundeck: 28 × 32-pounders Upper gundeck: 28 × 18-pounders Quarterdeck: 18 × 9-pounders

Courageux was a heavy 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy, launched in 1753. She was captured by the Royal Navy in 1761 and taken into service as HMS Courageux. She was wrecked in 1796.

French service

Courageux was launched in 1753. She was considered heavy because she carried 24-pounder guns on her upper deck rather than the normal 18 pounders.

Capture by the Royal Navy

Main article: Action of 14 August 1761

She was captured by the British ship HMS Bellona, also of 74 guns on 13 August 1761, whilst in the company of two frigates. Courageux sighted Bellona in company with the frigate Brilliant. The British ships pursued, and after 14 hours, caught up with the French ships and engaged, the Brilliant attacking the frigates, and Bellona taking on Courageux. The frigates eventually got away, but Courageux struck her colours, and was later repaired and taken into the Royal Navy as the third rate HMS Courageux.

Fate

She was wrecked off Gibraltar on 18 December 1796.

References

• Lavery, Brian (2003) The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650-1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-252-8.