HMS Le Glorieux 1756 - Ships of the line

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The French ship Glorieux was a second-rate warship that commanded respect in the French Navy. Constructed by Clairin Deslauriers at Rochefort and launched on August 10, 1756, she underwent a major overhaul in 1777 to stay ahead of the game. French service was her domain for many years until August 30, 1781, when Admiral de Grasse led her into battle against the British Navy. According to eyewitness accounts from French sources, the British sloop Loyalist and frigate Guadeloupe were patrolling the Chesapeake when they stumbled upon the French fleet. The clever Guadeloupe managed to escape up the York River to York Town, where she would eventually meet her demise. Contrary to this report, English court martial records suggest that Loyalist was returning to the British fleet off the Jersey coast when she encountered the main French force. With Aigrette and Glorieux in hot pursuit, they were able to outmaneuver the British sloop. The French took possession of her and renamed her Loyaliste in September 1781 but later handed her over to the Americans in November. In a stunning turn of events, the British captured Glorieux at the Battle of the Saintes on April 12, 1782, thanks largely to the bravery of Denis Decrès. The following day, she was commissioned into the Royal Navy as HMS Glorieux or HMS Glorious and rated as a third-rate warship. Her fate was sealed when she sailed with the fleet for England on July 25, 1782, but ultimately met her match in a hurricane storm off Newfoundland between September 16-17. She went down with all hands, including Captain Thomas Cadogan, son of Charles Cadogan, 3rd Baron Cadogan. This devastating loss also claimed several other warships and merchant vessels from Admiral Graves' fleet, resulting in the loss of over 3,500 men. From Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Glorieux