Famous Ships and Boats

In history, movies, books, on exhibit

War ships, ship tragedies, steam ships, yachts, and more

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French Warships, not in World Wars

Gloire — French ocean-going ironclad
First ocean-going ironclad, developed in response to navel gun technology, including the Paixhans gun, thus rendering obsolete traditional unarmoured wooden ships-of-the-line. She was constructed with light barquentine sails as well as a steam-powered screw. LAUNCHED: 1859, November 18 → FATE: Scrapped in 1883.

La Gloire — French battleship, steamer
The first ocean-going ironclad battleship in history. The ship initiated the obsolescence of traditional unarmored wooden ships-of-the-line. LAUNCHED: 1859, November → FATE: Scrapped in 1883.

(Another )

Medusa — French frigate
Most famous sea disaster of the nineteenth century. After hitting a shoal, most of the 400 passengers were evacuated while 151 men took refuge on an improvised raft. After 13 days at sea, the raft was discovered with only 15 men still alive. The raft carrying people was the subject of a famous painting, The Raft of the Medusa by French artist Théodore Géricault. LAUNCHED: 1810 → FATE: Beached on Bank of Arguin in 1817.

Napoléon, (Le) — French battleship, ship of the line
First true steam and screw battleship in the world. She was the lead ship of a class of 9 battleships, all considered as very successful and built over a period of 10 years. LAUNCHED: 1850, May 18 → FATE: Sunk November 6, 1876.

Orient — French ship of the line
Famous for her role as flagship of the French fleet at the Battle of the Nile, 1798. During the battle, she caught fire and exploded, with an estimated loss of over 1,130 men; 760 are said to have survived. LAUNCHED: 1791, July 20 → FATE: She was destroyed by an explosion, August 1798.

Ville de Paris — French ship of the line, large three-decker
The flagship of the Comte de Grasse during the American Revolutionary War and the Siege of Yorktown. A ship of the line of the Royal Navy was named after her, HMS Ville de Paris, and launched in 1795. LAUNCHED: 1764 → FATE: Sank in September 1782 with other ships in a Central Atlantic hurricane.

The number of French Warships, not in World Wars listed is 6

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For a full list of all ships, select HERE

First Ship on each page
Page	Ship Name (Country and Type)
1.	La Gloire (French battleship)

French Warships, not in World Wars
1.	La Gloire French battleship
2.	Medusa French frigate
3.	Napoléon, (Le) French battleship
4.	Orient French ship of the line
5.	Ville de Paris French ship of the line