Belliqueux was a 64-gun ship of the line of the French Navy, launched in 1756.

History
French Royal Navy EnsignFrance
NameBelliqueux
NamesakeBelliqueux is french for Belligerent or Warlike
LaunchedAugust 1756
Captured2 November 1758, by Royal Navy
Royal Navy EnsignGreat Britain
NameHMS Belliqueux
Acquired2 November 1758
FateBroken up, September 1772
General characteristics [1]
Class and type64-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen13718094 (bm)
Length157 ft 10+12 in (48.1 m) (gundeck)
Beam44 ft 10+12 in (13.7 m)
Depth of hold19 ft 10 in (6.05 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament64 guns of various weights of shot

She was captured on 2 November 1758 by HMS Antelope in the Irish Sea.[2] She was found by Antelope anchored off Ilfracombe, Antelope opened fire but the French ship surrendered without having fired a shot in return. The crew of 500 was captured.[3]: 11 She was taken into the Royal Navy and commissioned as the third rate HMS Belliqueux.

Belliqueux at Roseau, Dominica on 6 June 1761

The captains were:[2]

  • from November 1758: captain Thomas Saumarez [fr], in the West Indies (quit due to ill health)
  • from late 1761: captain Richard Edwards, in the Mediterranean.

Belliqueux was broken up in September 1772.

See also

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Citations

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  1. ^ Lavery, Ships of the Line, vol.1. p.178.
  2. ^ a b Ships of the Old Navy, "Belliqueux".
  3. ^ Ross, Sir John. Memoirs of Admiral de Saumarez Vol 1.

References

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  • Lavery, Brian (2003) The Ship of the Line – Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650–1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-252-8.
  • Michael Phillips (2007). Belliqueux (64) (1758). Michael Phillips' Ships of the Old Navy. Retrieved 2009-06-15.