Cybèle and 'Prudente fighting HMS Centurion and HMS Diomede. |
|
| Career (France) | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Cybèle |
| Namesake: | Cybele |
| Builder: | Brest |
| Laid down: | April 1790 |
| Launched: | 25 October 1791 |
| In service: | May 1773 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Nymphe class frigate |
| Displacement: | 750 tonnes |
| Length: | 46.9 metres |
| Beam: | 11.9 metres |
| Draught: | 5.8 metres |
| Propulsion: | Sail |
| Armament: | 40 guns to 46 guns |
| Armour: | Timber |
The Cybèle was an Nymphe class 40-gun frigate of the French Navy.
On 22 October 1794, soon after the outbreak of the war with England, and along with the 32-gun Prudente and the brig Coureur, she fought HMS Centurion and HMS Diomede, who blockaded Ile de France. The French ships managed to drive away the British ships. Robert Surcouf volunteered to serve as an officer for the action and earned his first command for his behaviour on that day.
In 1796 she took part in patrols in the Indian Ocean in Admiral Sercey's squadron. In 1806, she took part in L'Hermite's expedition. 38 men were lost in the hurricane that scattered the squadron, and she managed to reach Lorient.
On 24 February 1809, under captain Cocault, she took part in the Battle of Les Sables-d'Olonne, which left her in such a battered state that she was declared to be irreparable, and was broken up.