HMS Montreal (1761)

Montreal was ordered from Sheerness Dockyard on 6 June 1759, one of an eleven ship class built to a design by Thomas Slade. She was laid down on 26 April 1760, launched on 15 September 1761, and was completed by 10 October 1761. She had been named Montreal on 28 October 1760, and was commissioned under her first commander, Captain William Howe, in September 1761, having cost £11,503.17.11d to build, including money spent fitting her out. ==British career==

Montreal was first assigned to serve in the Mediterranean, which she sailed for in December 1761. She was paid off in July 1764 after the conclusion of the Seven Years' War. She was almost immediately recommissioned under Captain Keith Stewart, and returned to the Mediterranean in July that year. Montreal was recommissioned into the Royal Navy in December 1769 under Captain James Alms. While in the Mediterranean Montreal formed part of Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Duff's squadron. ==Capture==

On 4 May 1779 Montreal was sailing off Gibraltar in company with when they encountered the French ships Bourgogne, under the command of Captain de Marin and Victoire, under command of Captain d'Albert Saint-Hippolyte, The French took her into service as Montréal. ==French service==

In July 1780, Montréal was escorting six ships destined for Algiers. She was under the command of Captain de Vialis de Fontbelle, who was also in charge of the convoy. The convoy successfully anchored beneath the guns of Cachique. During the opening of close combat, de Vialis de Fontbelle had received two mortal wounds, one to the right arm and one to the left calf. He therefore turned over command to his second-in-command, the Count of LaPorte-Yssertieux, before dying. Montréal demasted one of the English vessels, which led the brigs to disengage to protect her. By 9:30, the English commander signaled withdrawal. The two-hour engagement was inconclusive. Minorca suffered two men killed, while three men were killed and two wounded on Porcupine. The convoy suffered four dead, including Captain de Vialis de Fontbelle. Later, three English ships gave chase when the convoy lifted anchor, however the convoy had lost them by 11:00, and reached Algiers intact. For his conduct in the action, la Porte-Yssertieux received a promotion to brevet de capitaine de vaisseau (Brevet Captain). ==Fate==

The French later used Montréal as a powder hulk. The British captured her when they occupied Toulon in August 1793 in support of the monarchists there. The French Revolutionary forces besieged Toulon and on 16 December 1793 the British decided to evacuate the port while destroying as much as possible of the materials that they could not take away. Montréal was one of two powder hulks in the port, the other being the French frigate Iris. An Anglo-Spanish force was sent to scuttle them on the night of 18 December. Instead, the Spanish troops decided to set fire to the two powder hulks; the subsequent explosions destroyed both. ==Citations==