French brig Observateur

Observateur
History
France
NameObservateur
OrderedOctober 1799 as "No.4"
BuilderJean Fouache and Entreprise Thibaudier, Le Havre
Laid down7 July 1799
Launched20 July 1800
Captured6 June 1806
United Kingdom
NameHMS Observateur
Acquiredby capture
Honours &
awards
Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Guadaloupe"
General characteristics
Class & typeVigilant-class brig
Displacement343–379 tons (French)
Tons burthen303 (bm)
Length
  • 90 ft 6 in (27.6 m) (overall)
  • 72 ft 8 in (22.1 m) (keel)
Beam28 ft 0 in (8.5 m)
Depth of hold7 ft 6 in (2.3 m)
Sail planBrig
Complement
  • French service:105
  • British service:95
Armament
  • French service:
  • Originally: 16 × 4-pounder guns
  • 1803: 16 × 6-pounder guns
  • 1805: 14 × 4-pounder guns, 4 × 12-pounder British carronades
  • British service: 14 × 24-pounder carronades + 2 × 6-pounder chase guns

The French brig Observateur, which was launched in 1800 for the French Navy, was a Vigilant-class 16-gun brig, one of six built to a design by Pierre-Alexandre-Laurent Forfait. The Royal Navy captured her in 1806 and took her into service as HMS Observateur. She participated in two actions, one for the French Navy and one for the Royal Navy, and one campaign before she was laid up in 1810. The Navy did not succeed in selling her until 1814.