French corvette Diligente (1801)
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| History | |
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 France
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| Name: | Diligente |
| Ordered: | 5 December 1800 |
| Builder: | Brest |
| Laid down: | 1800 |
| Launched: | 6 November 1801 |
| Struck: | 12 October 1854 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Diligente class corvette |
| Length: | 33.8 m (111 ft) |
| Beam: | 8.4 m (28 ft) |
| Draught: | 4.7 m (15 ft) |
| Armament: |
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| Armour: | Timber |
Diligente was a 20-gun corvette of the French Navy, lead ship of her class. Built at Brest on private plans by Pierre Ozanne, she was particularly fast. The French Navy adopted the design and copied the plans as late as 1848. Originally armed with 6-pounder guns, she was later rearmed with heavier carronades. She continued in service, off and on, until she was struck in 1854.
Diligente took part in the Atlantic campaign of 1806 in Leissègues' squadron, culminating in the Battle of San Domingo.
The frigates Comète, Félicité, and Diligente captured and burned the American vessel Lark, Moore, master, which was sailing from Philadelphia to Jamaica.
In August 1808 Diligente, captained by Commander Jean-François Lemaresquier, with the corvettes Sylphe and Espiègle, sailed from France with supplies for the island of Martinique. British ships chased the group through the Bay of Biscay and captured Sylphe and Espiègle.Diligente escaped, only to encounter the British sloop Recruit, under Commander (later to be Admiral) Charles Napier, off Antigua. During a hard-fought action lasting three hours, Recruit's mainmast fell, putting her somewhat at Diligente's mercy. However, a lucky shot ignited Diligente's ammunition store, causing some damage. Diligente withdrew and later Lemaresquier justified his action on the grounds that other British naval vessels were approaching, which they were not, and the weight of Recruit's broadside, which was heavier.
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Wikipedia