| Career (France) | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Tonnant |
| Namesake: | Thundering |
| Ordered: | 12 June 1740 |
| Builder: | Toulon |
| Laid down: | 18 October 1740 |
| Launched: | 15 November 1743 |
| In service: | June 1744 |
| Struck: | April 1780 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 1700 tonnes |
| Length: | 54.6 metres |
| Beam: | 14.9 metres |
| Draught: | 7.5 metres |
| Propulsion: | Sail |
| Armament: |
80 guns: |
| Armour: | Timber |
The Tonnant was a 80-gun ship of the line of the French Navy.
She was the flagship of the French fleet at the Second battle of Cape Finisterre, and later took part in the Battle of Quiberon Bay, and in the American War of Independence.
She was broken up in 1780.
Constructed in Toulon between 1740 and 1744, it was armed with 80 cannons.
Is was the flagship of Louis XV fleet, and thus served as Admiral Vessal to Marquis de l'Estenduère during the lors de la Second battle of Cape Finisterre in 1747. During this naval battle, eight French vessals were sacrificed when they took on the forteen British ships by Admiral Hawke, to protect the merchant ships. The Tonnant was involved in fierce combat. Partly dismantled, it escaped by being towed by the Intrépide of Vaudreuil, who crossed British lines to secure the ship.
The Tonnant also participated at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759, on board was the (Chevalier de Bauffremont). It escaped and took refuge at Rochefort.
It was refurbished in 1770, and participated in the campaign of Admiral Estaing in Amrica in 1778-1779. It was present during the attack on Newport in (1778) and at the Battle of Grenada on (July 6 1779). It finished it's naval career in 1780.