Saint-Esprit — French 74-Gun Ship of the Line Model | Admiral Line

A French 74 — the most successful warship type of the age of sail, and the class that decided the American Revolution at sea.

Built plank on frame in western red cedar, rosewood and mahogany, with carved and gilded stern work. Fully assembled.

Construction

• Plank-on-frame hull in western red cedar, rosewood and mahogany
• Two gun decks with cast cannon and carved port surrounds
• Carved and gilded stern gallery, quarter galleries and beakhead
• Three masts and bowsprit with complete hand-knotted standing and running rigging
• Hand-stitched linen sails on every yard
• Ship's boats, capstan, wheel, gratings and rails
• Metal anchors and wooden rudder
• Solid wood base and engraved brass nameplate

History

Saint-Esprit was launched at Brest in 1765, a 74-gun two-decker — the type French naval architects had refined into the best balance of firepower, speed and seakeeping afloat, and which every other navy copied. She sailed with de Grasse's fleet to the Chesapeake in September 1781, where the French line held off the British relief squadron for long enough that Cornwallis at Yorktown could not be reinforced or evacuated. He surrendered five weeks later. It is the rare naval engagement that decided a war on land.