French frigate Terpsichore (1763)

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

Terpsichore was a 36-gun frigate of the French Navy. She took part in the War of American Independence.

History
France
Name	Terpsichore
Ordered	22 December 1762[1]
Builder	Indret[1]
Laid down	July 1762[1]
Launched	10 August 1763[1]
In service	December 1763[1]
Fate	Sold in August 1783
General characteristics [1]
Tons burthen	600 tonnes
Length	45.7 metres
Beam	11.1 metres
Depth of hold	4.9 metres
Armament	Gun deck: 30 × 12-pounder long guns Quarterdeck and forecastle: 6 lighter guns

Career

Terpsichore took part in operations against the Salé Rovers, under Captain Jean-François Aubé de Braquemont,^[1][2] along with Danaé.

In 1775, she was the flagship of the Escadre d'évolution under Guichen,^[1] conducting exercises from Brest^[3][4] with a 12-ship division comprising four frigates, five corvettes, a lugger and two cutters, and 1885 men.^[5] In June 1776, she collided with Solitaire and both ships had to repair in Cadiz.^[6][1]

In 1776, she was under Poute de Nieuil, at Rochefort, in the squadron under Du Chaffault.^[7]

In 1779, she was under Lombard, cruising first around Ile de Ré, Ile d'Aix and Brest,^[8][9][10] and then part of the squadron under Orvilliers.^[11]

Fate

Terpsichore was condemned in Brest in August 1783, and sold in March 1787.^[1]