The Scipion was a French

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

 warship of the 18th century, lead ship of her class

Scipion class ship of the line

The Scipion class was type of 74-gun ships designed by Francois-Guillaume Clairin-Deslauriers. It comprised three ships:*ScipionThe Scipion class was type of 74-gun ships designed by Francois-Guillaume Clairin-Deslauriers...

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Scipion took part in the American War of Independence, notably sailing at the rear of the French squadron at the Battle of the Chesapeake

Battle of the Chesapeake

The Battle of the Chesapeake, also known as the Battle of the Virginia Capes or simply the Battle of the Capes, was a crucial naval battle in the American War of Independence that took place near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay on 5 September 1781, between a British fleet led by Rear Admiral Sir Thomas...

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In the Action of 18 October 1782

Action of 18 October 1782

The Action of 18 October 1782 was a minor naval engagement of the American War of Independence, in which the French 74-gun ship of the line Scipion, accompanied by a frigate, was chased by two ships of the line, HMS London and Torbay...

, under Captain Nicolas Henri de Grimouard

Nicolas Henri de Grimouard

Nicolas Henri, comte de Grimouard was an officer in the French Navy.Grimouard was a distinguished commander during the American War of Independence. He commanded the frigate Minerve when she was captured by HMS Courageux in 1781...

, Scipion fought gallantly against two British ships of the line of 90 and 74 guns. Through good sailmanship, she managed to damage HMS London and escape, but was destroyed the next day after she was chased and ran aground.