LE
PROTECTEUR is a French ship of 64 guns, whose construction began in 1757. She
was launched at Toulon in 1760 and sailed until 1789. The Protecteur represents
the purest type of ship of the Louis XV period. It was one of the first ships
to be equipped with iron galleries. The ships of this period, built according
to new methods, are much slimmer than their predecessors of the Louis XV
period; they resemble those of the 19th century more than those of the late
17th century. Their bow is higher and the bowsprit has followed the same trend.
In 1782, the Protecteur was part of the escort of a convoy of 20 ships, with
the Pegasus and the frigates Indiscrète and Andromaque. The English ships
"HMS Foudroyant" and "HMS Queen" intercepted the convoy,
leading to the third battle of Ushant. The "Pegasus" and four
transport ships were captured. The rest of the French fleet managed to escape.
In 1789, the ship was decommissioned.
Dimensions:
78L x 19W x 78H
Code: TS0009P-80