French ship Artésien

The "Artésien" (“Artesian”) was a 64-gun ship of the line of the French Navy, lead ship of her class.

She was built in 1765 as a part of a series of 12 ships of the line began by Choiseul to compensate for the losses endured by the French Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War [fr icon [http://www.amarsenal.be/04_Historique_1.htm Archéologie et modélisme d'arsenal] ] . She was paid by the province of Artois and Flander, and named in its honour, according to the practice of the time [fr icon [http://moncarnetdebretagne.blog4ever.com/blog/lesphotos-35093-28439.html Mon carnet de Bretagne] ] .

The "Artésien" took part in the American revolutionary war under Suffren, departing in 1781. Off Cape Verde, "Artésien" detected an English squadron, resulting in the Battle of Porto Praya. [fr icon [http://www.memorial-genweb.org/~lafayette-genweb/liste2.php Liste des régiments et vaisseaux.] Théatre d'opérations : Etats-Unis 1777-1782]

"Artésien" was decommissioned in 1785 and used as a shear hulk.

A fine 1/28th scale model was used to instruct Louis XVI in naval studies. The model is now on display at the Musée de la Marine.

Notes and References

* Jean Boudriot, "L'Artésien, vaisseau de 64 canons 1762-1785" Neptunia Vol. 36, Paris, 1981, p.143
* Jean Boudriot & Hubert Berti, "Les vaisseaux de 50 & 64 canons 1650 - 1780", éditions Ancre [http://www.ancre.fr/vaisso19.htm]
*fr icon [http://olivier.frechet.free.fr/Guerre_dans_l'Oc