French gun vessel Bombarde (1800 ship)

The Bombarde was a French Navy bomb vessel launched in 1800. These types of vessels were specifically designed for coastal bombardment, equipped with mortars to lob shells into fortifications and enemy positions ashore. The name "Bombarde" itself is indicative of this purpose, referencing the mortar ("bombe") that was their primary armament.

Bomb vessels like the Bombarde were relatively slow and cumbersome compared to frigates or ships-of-the-line, but their firepower made them valuable assets in siege operations and naval battles close to land. Details of her service history are scarce, but French bomb vessels of this era saw action in the Napoleonic Wars, often involved in operations along the coasts of France, Italy, and Spain. The Bombarde's operational life likely consisted of supporting land campaigns, protecting French harbors, and potentially engaging in raids on enemy coastal assets.