French ship Suffren (1803)

The Suffren was a 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy, launched in 1803. She was named in honour of Vice-Admiral Pierre André de Suffren de Saint Tropez, a renowned French naval officer of the 18th century.

The Suffren saw active service during the Napoleonic Wars. Details of her specific engagements are somewhat fragmented, but she participated in several notable campaigns and battles against the British Royal Navy. Like many ships of her class, she was primarily involved in fleet actions, attempts to break blockades, and commerce raiding.

Ships of the line like the Suffren were the backbone of naval power during this period. Their large size, heavy armament, and ability to sail in formation made them formidable adversaries. The Suffren represented a significant investment by the French government and a key component of their naval strategy.

The ultimate fate of the Suffren is not definitively stated in all sources, but it's generally accepted that she was either captured by the British, scuttled to avoid capture, or decommissioned later in the 19th century. Further research would be needed to determine the exact circumstances of her disposal.