Fleche (1768)
| History | |
|---|---|
.svg){kind=small}  France
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| Name: | Fleche |
| Builder: | Toulon |
| Laid down: | May 1768 |
| Launched: | 19 October 1768 |
| Captured: | 21 May 1794 |
 UK
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| Name: | HMS Fleche |
| Acquired: | May 1794 by capture |
| Commissioned: | May 1794 |
| Fate: | Wrecked 12 November 1795 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Corvette |
| Tons burthen: | 278 (bm) |
| Length: |
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| Beam: | 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Complement: |
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| Armament: |
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Fleche was a French corvette built by Louis-Hilarion Chapelle (cadet) and launched at Toulon in 1768. The British captured her at the Fall of Bastia in May 1794 and commissioned her into the Royal Navy under her existing name. She observed the naval battle of Hyères Islands, but then wrecked in 1795.
Fleche was a French corvette built by Louis-Hilarion Chapelle (cadet) and launched at Toulon on 19 October 1768. In the early 1790s she was stationed at Smyrna. In April 1790, while under the command of major de vaisseau chevalier de Lestang-Parade, she sailed on a mission to Saloniki, and then to Largentière. She then returned to Toulon via Paros. Between 12 May and June 1792, while under the command of lieutenant de vaisseau Blanquet Du Chayla, she sailed from Tunis southward via Cerigo and Largentière.
The British captured Fleche on 21 May 1794 at the fall of Bastia. The French proposed in the articles of capitulation that the French Republic retain Fleche and a pink to transport the garrison, such civilians as wished to accompany them, and some timber, to France. The British refused, simply stating that they would provide any necessary transport.
The Royal Navy commissioned her as HMS Fleche under Commander John Gore upon her capture. He fitted her out and sailed her to Malta where he negotiated with the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc for seamen, supplies, and the like. On 13 September Gore was a witness at the trial of Lieutenant William Walker, commander of the hired armed cutter Rose, on charges that Walker had accepted money from merchants at Bastia to convoy their vessels to Leghorn, where the court-martial took place. Walker was acquitted. Gore received promotion to post captain on 14 November 1794.
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Wikipedia