French ship Inflexible (1752)

'''' was a medium-armed vessel constructed by the . These standards were designed to achieve an optimal balance between cost, maneuverability, and firepower, to maintain a competitive edge against the English navy, which possessed a significantly larger number of ships. It was categorized as a "64-gun" ship, the inaugural vessel of which was launched in 1735, followed by numerous others until the late 1770s. However, these ships were ultimately superseded by those designated as "74-gun" vessels. Under the prevailing naval construction techniques of the period, the vessel's hull was crafted from oak, its rigging from pine, and its sails and ropes from hemp. In comparison to 74-gun ships, this vessel was less powerful due to the combination of a reduced number of guns and a smaller caliber of artillery. The first gun deck was equipped with twenty-six 24-pound cannons, arranged in thirteen gun ports, while the second gun deck had twenty-eight 12-pound cannons, distributed across fourteen ports. Additionally, the upper decks were fitted with ten 6-pound cannons. This artillery configuration was typical for a 64-gun ship. The cannons were made of iron, with a reserve of approximately 50 to 60 cannonballs, exclusive of chain shots and grapeshot. == History ==

, with the dislocation of the French squadron and the escape of some of the ships to the Vilaine River. Inflexible is one of them. Inflexible commenced its operational career at the outset of the Seven Years' War. The vessel's inaugural captain was Monsieur de Guébriant. It was incorporated into a modest squadron of six ships and three frigates under the direction of Lieutenant General Macnemara, whose responsibility was to provide security for 18 vessels transporting reinforcements to Canada, under the command of Dubois de La Motte. Macnemara was instructed to avoid unnecessary risks when confronting the English forces. Consequently, he cruised along the coastline before returning (May 3–May 20, 1755), leaving Dubois de La Motte to complete the mission independently. In 1757, Inflexible was placed under the command of Captain de Tilly and was incorporated into a division of five ships and a frigate under the command of Squadron Commander Bauffremont. The objective of this division was to sail to the West Indies and North America to defend the sugar islands and Louisbourg. On January 31, the vessel set sail from Brest for Saint-Domingue, where it arrived a few weeks later with the other ships, having disembarked troops. During this campaign, the death of Captain de Tilly resulted in the ship being placed under the command of Monsieur de Saint-Laurent. Inflexible was mobilized under the command of Chevalier de Caumont to serve in the rear guard of the 21-ship squadron under Conflans, which was tasked with escorting the invasion fleet. Inflexible is one of 37 ships lost by France during the Seven Years' War. Its wreck now lies beneath the waters of the Arzal dam. == See also ==