Diligente (24)
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Origin and History
This frigate was built by Jacques-Luc Coulomb at Lorient from December 1755 and launched on April 28 1756. She entered the service of the Compagnie des Indes in November 1756. She did not belong to the Marine Royale.
During the Seven Years' War, the frigate was under the command of:
- from December 31 1756 to March 1 1759: captain Macé Marion-Dufresne
- from February 29 1760 to April 16 1761: captain Pierre-Léon Maugueret
The frigate was sold to the Marine Royale in September 1761. She was wrecked on Cape Henry in January 1782.
Service during the War
On December 31 1756, the frigate was commissioned at Lorient for service in India.
On May 3 1757, the frigate sailed from Lorient for India.
On January 27 1758, the frigate was part of d'Aché's squadron which sailed from Île de France and made for the coast of Coromandel in India, transporting reinforcements under the command of Lally. Owing to the monsoon, it was much delayed. On April 28, the squadron arrived at daybreak into the roadstead of Fort St. David. The French squadron cut off the escape of the Bridgewater (24) and Triton (24) which were lying there, and which, to save them from capture, were run ashore and burnt. Lally's instructions from Versailles directed him first to besiege Fort St. David. Accordingly, d'Aché detached the Comte-de-Provence (68) and the Diligente (24) to carry M. de Lally to Pondicherry (actual Puducherry). On April 29, she joined the combat of Cuddalore at the end of the action. On August 3, she took part to the combat of Negapatam.
On September 10 1759, the frigate took part in the victorious battle of Pondicherry.
On February 29 1760, the frigate was commissioned at Lorient for another expedition to India.
On April 16 1761, the frigate was back to Brest.
To do: more details on campaigns from 1760 to 1762
Characteristics
| Guns | 32
| ||||||
| Crew | n/a | ||||||
| Length | 121 feet (36.88 m) | ||||||
| Width | 31 feet 8 in (9.68 m) | ||||||
| Depth | 14 feet 6 in (4.42 m) | ||||||
| Displacement | ??? |
References
Blasco, Manuel, Ship of the Compagnie des Indes, 3 Decks Wiki
Deschênes , Ronald; Frégates du Roy de 1682 à 1767, version 2, 2001
Service historique de la Défense, Les mouvements au long cours des navires de la deuxième Compagnie française des Indes orientales
- List of French sail frigates
N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.
