French frigate Hermione (1804)

For other ships with the same name, see French ship Hermione.

Hermione was a 40-gun Hortense-class frigate of the French Navy launched in 1804 and wrecked in 1808.

Hortense, sister-ship of Hermione
History
France
Name	République Italienne
Namesake	Italian Republic
Renamed	Hermione 26 December 1803
Namesake	Hermione
Launched	2 December 1804
Fate	Wrecked 18 August 1808
General characteristics
Class & type	Hortense-class frigate
Displacement	1,390 tonnes
Tons burthen	720 tonnes
Length	48.75 m (159.9 ft)
Beam	12.2 m (40 ft)
Draught	5.9 m (19 ft)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Ship
Armament	40 guns 28 × 18-pounder long guns 12 × 8-pounder long guns

Ordered by the Italian Republic as a gift to France under the name République Italienne, she was renamed Hermione on 26 December 1803. She was launched in December 1804.

Under Captain Jean-Michel Mahé, she took part in the capture of the Royal Navy 18-gun sloop-of-war HMS Cyane in May 1805, the Battle of Cape Finisterre on 22 July 1805, the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805, and Lamellerie's expedition of February–July 1806.^[1] In late 1807, she was part of a division under Rear-Admiral François-André Baudin, ferrying troops to Martinique.^[2]

Hermione was wrecked in Iroise on 18 August 1808.^[3] Her wreck was discovered in 1972.^{[citation needed]}