French Second Rate ship of the line 'Le Neptune' (1666)

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Seahorse (38) 1794-1819
British 38 Gun
5th Rate Frigate
(1794)
Charles John Moore MansfieldBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1772-1807
Sir Robert Lawrie (6^th Baronet of Maxwelton)British
Naval Sailor
Service 1790-1847
Sir Graham Eden HamondBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1793-1836
John AllenBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1793-1846
Sir Thomas Bladen CapelBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1792-1847
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Service 1795-1825
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Robert PlampinBritish
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Le Neptune ➡ 1671 Illustre
Nominal Guns	66	NNF-1661
Nationality	Royaume de France
Operator	Marine Royale
Ordered	19.3.1666	NNF-1661
Keel Laid Down	4.1666	NNF-1661
Launched	12.1666	NNF-1661
First Commissioned	9.1667	NNF-1661
How acquired	Purpose built	NNF-1661
Shipyard	Amsterdam - Holland	NNF-1661
Ship Class	Dutch Built Group (1666)	NNF-1661
Constructor	Hendrik Hendriksz CardinaalDutch Ship Builder Service 1666-1702	NNF-1661
Category	Second Rate	NNF-1661
National Rate	Second Rang	NNF-1661
Ship Type	Ship of the Line	NNF-1661
Sailing Rig	Ship Rigged	NNF-1661
Broken Up	1698	NNF-1661

Dimensions

DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentNNF-1661
Length of Gundeck137' 0"French Feet (Pied du Roi)44.4976 (145′ 11″ Imperial)
Length of Keel118' 0"French Feet (Pied du Roi)38.3264 (125′ 8″ Imperial)
Breadth37' 0"French Feet (Pied du Roi)12.0176 (39′ 5″ Imperial)
Depth in Hold14' 3"French Feet (Pied du Roi)4.5675 (14′ 11″ Imperial)
Burthen1,200Ton

Armament

9.1667Broadside Weight = 496 French Livre (535.2832 lbs 242.792 kg)NNF-1661
Lower Gun Deck24 French 24-Pounder
Upper Gun Deck26 French 12-Pounder
Quarterdeck/Forecastle16 French 6-Pounder
Quarterdeck/Forecastle2 French 4-Pounder

1674Broadside Weight = 482 French Livre (520.1744 lbs 235.939 kg)FWAS1626
Lower Gun Deck12 French 24-Pounder
Lower Gun Deck14 French 18-Pounder
Middle Gun Deck26 French 12-Pounder
Upper Gun Deck16 French 6-Pounder
Roundhouse4 French 4-Pounder

1696Broadside Weight = 494 French Livre (533.1248 lbs 241.813 kg)FWAS1626
Lower Gun Deck24 French 24-Pounder
Middle Gun Deck26 French 12-Pounder
Upper Gun Deck14 French 6-Pounder
Roundhouse4 French 4-Pounder

Crew Complement

Date# of MenNotesSource
9.1667409 NNF-1661

5 Ship Commanders

DatesRankNameSource
1672Capitaine de Vaisseauref:6871673Capitaine de Vaisseauref:6871683Chef d'Escadreref:6871690Capitaine de Vaisseauref:6871692Capitaine de VaisseauFWIKI

Service History

DateEventSource
24.6.1671Renamed IllustreFWAS1626
28.5.1672Battle of Solebay
28.5.1673First Battle of Schooneveld
4.6.1673Second Battle of Schooneveld
11.8.1673Battle of Texel
1674Rerated as a 72 gunnerFWAS1626
1688Rerated as a 64 gunnerFWAS1626
1690Rerated as a 74 gunnerFWAS1626
30.6.1690Battle of Beachy Head
19.5.1692Battle of Barfleur
1696Rerated as a 68 gunnerFWAS1626

Sources

IDNameAuthorType

FWAS1626Stephen S. Roberts, Rif Winfield, Book

FWIKIVarious, Web Site

NNF-1661Alain Demerliac, Book

ref:687Philippe de Vilette-Mursay, Book

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Date posted	By	Page
Sunday 14th of June 2026 18:27	Jon Miller	British Fifth Rate frigate 'Seahorse' (1794) (38) 1794-1819 British 38 Gun 5th Rate Frigate
Sunday 14th of June 2026 18:24	Jon Miller	Charles John Moore MansfieldBritish Naval Sailor Service 1772-1807
Sunday 14th of June 2026 18:19	Jon Miller	Sir Robert Lawrie (6^th Baronet of Maxwelton)British Naval Sailor Service 1790-1847
Sunday 14th of June 2026 18:17	Jon Miller	Sir Graham Eden HamondBritish Naval Sailor Service 1793-1836
Sunday 14th of June 2026 18:13	Jon Miller	John AllenBritish Naval Sailor Service 1793-1846

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