''Invincible'' was a

first-rate In the rating system of the Royal Navy used to categorise sailing warships, a first rate was the designation for the largest ships of the line. Originating in the Jacobean era with the designation of Ships Royal capable of carrying at least ...

ship of the line A ship of the line was a type of naval warship constructed during the Age of Sail from the 17th century to the mid-19th century. The ship of the line was designed for the naval tactics in the Age of Sail, naval tactic known as the line of battl ...

of the

French Royal Navy The French Navy (, , ), informally (, ), is the maritime arm of the French Armed Forces and one of the four military service branches of France. It is among the largest and most powerful naval forces in the world recognised as being a blue- ...

. Built on plans by Francois Guillaume Clairin Deslauriers at Rochefort as part of the French naval mobilisation for the

American War of Independence The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader American Revolution, in which Am ...

, she was a sister-ship of ''Royal Louis''. She was built within 13 month and completed in May 1780.

American War of Independence The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader American Revolution, in which Am ...

In 1781, stationed in the Antilles, she picked a British convoy. In 1782 she was ordered to Gibraltar, in Lamotte-Picquet's squadron. (Comte de la Motte was her captain April 1781–April 1783). She took part in the

Battle of Cape Spartel The Battle of Cape Spartel was an indecisive naval battle between a Franco- Spanish fleet under Admiral Luis de Córdova y Córdova and a British fleet under Admiral Richard Howe. These forces met on 20 October 1782 after Howe successfully re ...

, where she attacked the rear of the British squadron. She was refitted several time (1781, 1784 and 1795) until her career came to an end in 1807 when she was disarmed and finally broken up in 1808 at Brest. Her replacement was the Commerce de Marseille of 118 guns.

Armament

Armament 1780

Broadside Weight = 1104 French Livre (1191.4368 lbs 540.408 kg)
Lower Gun Deck: 30x French 36-Pounder
Middle Gun Deck: 32x French 24-Pounder
Upper Gun Deck: 30x French 12-Pounder

Armament 1781

Broadside Weight = 1136 French Livre (1225.9712 lbs 556.072 kg)
Lower Gun Deck: 30x French 36-Pounder
Middle Gun Deck: 32x French 24-pound Carronade
Upper Gun Deck: 30x French 12-Pounder
Quarterdeck/Forecastle: 8x French 8-Pounder

Armament 1784

Broadside Weight = 1168 French Livre (1260.5056 lbs 571.736 kg)
Lower Gun Deck: 30x French 36-Pounder
Middle Gun Deck:32x French 24-Pounder
Upper Gun Deck:30x French 12-Pounder
Quarterdeck/Forecastle:16x French 8-Pounder

Armament 1795

Broadside Weight = 1252 French Livre (1351.1584 lbs 612.854 kg)
Lower Gun Deck: 30x French 36-Pounder
Middle Gun Deck: 32x French 24-Pounder
Upper Gun Deck:32x French 12-Pounder
Quarterdeck/Forecastle: 4x French 36-Pounder Obusier
Quarterdeck/Forecastle1: 6x French 8-Pounder

References

* * ''Nomenclature des Navires Français de 1774 à 1792'', Alain Demerliac * ''French Warships in the Age of Sail 1786-1861'', Rif Winfiled & Stephen S. Roberts

External links

''Invincible'' 1780 at Threedecks.org

French site - Vaisseaux de ligne francais de 1682 a 1780

French site - Troisponts.net
{{DEFAULTSORT:Invincible (1780) Ships of the line of the French Navy 1780 ships