French ship Diomède (1803)

The Diomède was a 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy, launched in 1803. She was built at Rochefort, France, to a design by Jacques-Noël Sané.

Her career was relatively short. She participated in the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805, where she formed part of the Franco-Spanish fleet under Admiral Villeneuve against the British fleet led by Admiral Nelson. During the battle, Diomède sustained significant damage and suffered heavy casualties. She fought bravely but was eventually captured by the British.

Following her capture, Diomède was taken into the Royal Navy and renamed HMS Diomede. However, she was deemed too damaged to be worth repairing and was subsequently broken up in 1808. Her time in British service was therefore brief, primarily serving as a prize rather than an active warship.

The Diomède is notable as a representative of the French 74-gun ships that played a significant role in the Napoleonic Wars and is primarily remembered for her participation in the Battle of Trafalgar.