French frigate Pénélope (1806)

The Pénélope was a 44-gun Armide-class frigate of the French Navy.

Portrait of Pénélope by François-Geoffroi Roux
History
French Navy EnsignFrance
NamePénélope
NamesakePenelope
Ordered22 August 1803
BuilderBordeaux
Laid down12 February 1804
Launched28 October 1806
Commissioned6 November 1806
Decommissioned1828
FateSold for scrap 1828
General characteristics
Class and typeArmide-class frigate
Displacement1,330 tonnes
Tons burthen1,10430/94 (bm)
Length47 m (154 ft)
Beam12 m (39 ft)
Draught5.5 m (18 ft)
PropulsionSail
Complement
  • French service: 339
  • British service: 284; later 315
Armament
ArmourTimber

Commissioned under Captain Bernard Dubourdieu in November 1806, Pénélope served in the Atlantic for some months.

On 21 January 1808, along with Thémis, she departed Bordeaux for a cruise to Toulon. They arrived on 28 March, having captured 12 British prizes en route, including the privateer Sirene.

On 1 January 1809, command of Pénélope was transferred to Captain Simonot. In the action of 27 February 1809, she and Pauline captured HMS Proserpine. Pénélope later took part in the action of 5 November 1813.

Pénélope was decommissioned at the Bourbon Restoration, on 31 August 1815, and was sold for scrap in 1828.

Sources and references

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  • Roche, Jean-Michel (2005). Dictionnaire des bâtiments de la flotte de guerre française de Colbert à nos jours 1 1671–1870. p. 345. ISBN 978-2-9525917-0-6. OCLC 165892922.