Héros (74)
Hierarchical Path: Seven Years War (Main Page) >> Navies >> French Navy >> Héros (74)
Origin and History
Built by J.V.C. Chapelle in Brest in 1750 and launched in 1752.
During the Seven Years' War, the ship was under the command of:
- in 1755: M. Bullion de Montlouet
- in November 1759: Captain Vicomte de Sanzay
The ship was scuttled by her crew in 1759.
Service during the War
In 1755, the ship took part to the expedition to reinforce Canada.
In 1756, the ship was once more part of the fleet sent to reinforce Canada. She was fitted out as transport and carried elements of the La Sarre Infanterie or Royal Roussillon Infanterie. She left Brest at the beginning of April and anchored near Québec on May 11.
In November 1759, in preparation for the planned invasion of England, the ship set sail for Quiberon Bay with the Brest Fleet. On November 20, she took part in the battle of Quiberon where she was attached to the third division under the Chef d'escadre Saint-André-du-Verger who assumed most of the fighting. About 4:00 PM, owing to the gale, the lee shore, and the gathering darkness, there was great confusion; and it is almost impossible to tell exactly what happened. But it would appear that after having engaged the Thésée (74) and having been fouled first by the Warspite (74) and then by the Montagu (60), Lord Howe, in the Magnanime (74), observed the French Héros (74) somewhat disabled to leeward and, bearing down and ranging alongside, quickly obliged her to strike. The Héros (74) anchored but, owing to the weather, no boat could be sent to take possession of her. Later, the captain of the Héros (74) ran her ashore and landed his crew. On the morning of November 21, the ship was on the Four Bank in front of Le Croisic. On November 22, Hawke sent the Portland (50), Chatham (50) and Vengeance (28) to set the Soleil-Royal (84) and Héros (74) on fire.
Characteristics
| Guns | 74
| ||||||
| Crew | 750 (from 650 to 815 men at Quiberon) | ||||||
| Length | 163' 8" (52.95 m) in French feet | ||||||
| Width | 43 feet (13.99 m) | ||||||
| Depth | 20,6 feet (6.66 m) | ||||||
| Displacement | 1500 tons |
References
Deschênes, Ronald, Répertoire des vaisseaux de ligne français 1682-1780
Vial J. L., Nec Pluribus Impar
N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.
