French ship Invincible (1780)


Invincible was a first-rate ship of the line of the French Royal Navy.
Built on plans by Francois Guillaume Clairin Deslauriers at Rochefort as part of the French naval mobilisation for the American War of Independence, she was a sister-ship of Royal Louis.
She was built within 13 month and completed in May 1780.

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In 1781, stationed in the Antilles, she picked a British convoy.
In 1782 she was ordered to Gibraltar, in Lamotte-Picquet's squadron..
She took part in the Battle of Cape Spartel, where she attacked the rear of the British squadron.
She was refitted several time 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
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
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

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
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