Bucentaure (French ship)
History
Served in:French Navy Flag
Launched:1803
Status:Sunk 22 October 1805
Technical characteristics
Type:Line vessel
Length:59.26 m
Maître-bau:15 .26 m
Draught:7.58 m
Tonnage:3868 tonnes
Propulsion:Sailing
Military characteristics
Armament:30 x 36-pounder guns
32 x 24-pounder guns
18 x 12-pounder guns pounds
6 howitzers of 36 pounds
Other characteristics
Crew:860 men
Port of home base:Toulon
The Bucentaure was an 80-gun ship spread over three decks. It was part of the Tonnant class, whose chief engineer was Jacques-Noël Sané.
Summary
[hide]
* 1 Career
* 2 Crew Composition[1]
* 3 Notes
* 4 Sources
* 5 External links
Career[edit]
It first bore the mark of Vice-Admiral Latouche-Tréville, until the latter's death on August 18, 1804. It then wore under the mark of Vice-Admiral Villeneuve from November 6, 1804.
It was famous for having been the French flagship during the Battle of Trafalgar (October 21, 1805). It was then commanded by Captain Magendie. During the battle, Admiral Nelson at the head of the British fleet, on the ship HMS Victory, pierced the Franco-Spanish line between the Bucentaure and the Redoutable, dropping a broadside of 50 guns which ravaged the stern and the bridge. of the flagship. This left the Bucentaur almost out of action. After three hours of fighting, Admiral Villeneuve decided to surrender. The vessel was towed by the British vessel Conqueror. During the night, the Bucentaure broke its towing line. The French officers still on board then decided to take the ship back from the English. They set sail for Cadiz in the middle of a storm, but in the early morning, when they were in sight of the port, they ran aground and despite attempts to lighten and free them, the ship had to be abandoned. The Bucentaure sank shortly afterwards.
Composition of the crew[1] [edit]
* Officers
o 1 naval captain
o 1 frigate captain
o 4 naval lieutenants
o 4 ensigns
o 2 garrison officers
o 1 accountant
o 1 health officer in Chief
o 9 Midshipmen
* Petty Officers
o 2 Boatswains or Boatswains
o 2 second boatswains
o 3 maneuvering foremen
o 18 maneuvering quartermasters
o 2 master gunners of classes
o 2 second master gunners of classes
o 24 assistant gunners of classes
o 2 master gunners s soldiers
o 1 second military master gunner
o 24 military assistant gunners
o 2 master helmsmen
o 5 second helmsmen
o 8 assistant helmsmen
o 1 coastal pilot
o 1 master carpenter
o 2 second master carpenters
o 5 assistant carpenters
o 1 master caulker
o 2 mate caulkers
o 5 mate caulkers
o 1 master sailmaker
o 1 second master sailmaker
o 2 sailboat aides
o 1 coxswain
* Crew
o 95 leading sailors
o 95 2nd class sailors
o 95 3rd class sailors
o 95 4th class sailors
o 125 novices
o 60 moss
o 129 garrison
* Supernumerary
o 3 gunsmiths
o 5 surgeons
o 9 food attendants
o 11 servants