French ship Espérance (1781)
The Recherche and Espérance, by François Roux | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| France | |
| Name | Espérance |
| Namesake | Hope |
| Builder | Toulon |
| Laid down | June 1780 |
| Launched | 14 August 1781 |
| Christened | Durance |
| Commissioned | 30 October 1781 |
| Out of service | 28 October 1794 |
| Reclassified | Frigate in 1791 |
| Fate | Sold for scrap |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Rhône-class scow |
| Displacement | c. 350 tonnes |
| Length | 37 m (121 ft 5 in) |
| Beam | 8.3 m (27 ft 3 in) |
| Draught | 4.2 m (13 ft 9 in) |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement | 200 |
| Armament | 6 × 8-pounders + two carronades |
| Armour | Timber |
Espérance was a Rhône-class scow of the French Navy, launched in 1781 and later reclassified as a frigate. She earned fame as one of the ships of Bruni d'Entrecasteaux's expedition. The Australian town of Esperance and Esperance Bay in Western Australia were named after her. She was sold for breaking up in 1794.