The French frigate Enjouée was a 32-gun sailing frigate of the French Navy, launched in 1766. She was designed by the notable French shipwright Antoine Groignard. Enjouée is sometimes categorized as a lead ship of her own class, the Enjouée-class, or grouped with the Pourvoyeuse-class frigates, reflecting a period of evolving frigate design in the French navy.
Description Enjouée was constructed as a fifth-rate frigate, typical of the late 18th century, designed for speed and maneuverability rather than heavy-line battle. Her primary armament consisted of 26 x 12-pounder guns on her main gundeck, supplemented by 6 x 6-pounder guns mounted on her quarterdeck and forecastle, giving her a total of 32 guns. Frigates of her type were versatile vessels, employed for reconnaissance, convoy escort, raiding, and carrying dispatches.
Service History Enjouée saw significant service during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), operating primarily in the Caribbean and North American theaters.
- 1780: She participated in the Battle of Martinique on 17 April 1780, an indecisive engagement between the French fleet under Admiral Guichen and the British fleet under Admiral Rodney. Later that year, she was briefly captured by the British in the West Indies but was quickly recaptured by the French fleet.
- 1781: Enjouée was part of the crucial French fleet under Admiral de Grasse that engaged the British fleet in the Battle of the Chesapeake on 5 September 1781. This pivotal naval victory prevented the British Navy from reinforcing or evacuating General Cornwallis's army at Yorktown, contributing directly to the decisive Franco-American victory and the surrender of British forces. Throughout the campaign, Enjouée performed essential scouting and support roles for the main fleet.
Fate After the conclusion of the American Revolutionary War, Enjouée continued to serve with the French Navy for several years. By 1787, she was deemed no longer fit for service due to age and wear. The Enjouée was subsequently broken up in 1787.