Catalogue description Captured ship: L'Ardent (commander [Francois Henri de] de Coulombe). History: a French...

Captured ship: L'Ardent (commander [Francois Henri de] de Coulombe).

History: a French naval warship (550 men but a great many sick, 62 guns), part of the Duc d'Anvilles's squadron of 5 ships of the line and 18 frigates [to retake Acadia]; on about 30 September/11 October 1746 was driven onshore and burned, after a 9 hour fight at the back of Quiberon with an English squadron (HMS Exeter (Thomas Lake commanding), HMS Poole (Ormond Tomson commanding), HMS Tavistock (George Mackenzie commanding) and HMS Fly (Patrick Baird commanding)): most of the crew escaped on shore, but 7 seamen were taken as prisoners of war.

Documents:-

Court papers:

• [CP 1-CP 5]: standing interrogatories, three examinations taken at Portsmouth, commisioners' affidavit;
• [CP 6]: abstract of the 7 books taken on board;
• [CP 7]: allegation.

Ship's Papers: originally 7 books, of which only 5 are here.

• SP 1: a register of the consumption of tackle, apparel, surgeon's supplies, and other equipment.
• SP 2: a journal 18/29 April to 12/23 September 1746, of some person aboard the ship.
• SP 3: another journal 18/29 April to 1/12 October 1746, with at the back an account of the signals for the transport ships.
• SP 4: a list of ships in the Duc d'Anville's squadron and the transports carrying troops and provisions.
• SP 5: an old journal without date [wanting].
• SP 6: a journal of Pierre Renaut, pilot's mate, from 13/24 February to 29 September/10 October 1746.
• SP 7: muster book [wanting].

[Decision: condemned as prize, 9 December 1746]