Sylphide (36)
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Origin and History
This frigate was built by Antoine Groignard at Lorient and launched in November 1756. She belonged to the Compagnie des Indes, not to the Marine Royale. She entered in active service on December 24 1756.
During the Seven Years' War, the frigate was under the command of:
- since December 24 1756: captain Étienne Mahy
- from July 14 1759: captain chevalier de Monteil
The frigate was sunk as blockship on November 11 1761.
Service during the War
On December 24 1756, the frigate was commissioned for a voyage from Lorient to the East Indies.
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. On April 29, while Lally was disembarking his troops at Pondicherry (actual Puducherry), the frigate was part of d'Aché's squadron who fought at the combat of Cuddalore where she seems to have improperly found a place in the line. She was driven out of it at the first broadside. On August 3, when Pocock made another attempt to dislodge the French squadron from Pondicherry, the frigate took part to the combat of Negapatam.
On July 13 1759, the frigate was at Île de France. On September 10, she took part in the battle of Pondicherry.
On March 3 1761, the frigate was commissioned at Île de France for an expedition to the East Indies. On November 11, she was sunk at Port-Louis as a blockship.
To do: details of the campaigns from 1760 to 1761
Characteristics
| Guns | 36
| ||||||
| Crew | 210 | ||||||
| Length at gundeck | 142 ft (43.28 meters) | ||||||
| Width | 33 ft (10.06 meters) | ||||||
| Depth | 10 ft 9 in (3.28 meters) | ||||||
| Displacement | 600 tons (544 metric tons) |
References
Blasco, Manuel, Ship of the Compagnie des Indes, 3 Decks Wiki
Service historique de la Défense, Les mouvements au long cours des navires de la deuxième Compagnie française des Indes orientales
N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.
