Foudroyant 1724

Launched in 1724 to a design by Laurent Helie for 110 guns, she would be the only French 1st rate ship to be launched in the 1st half of the 18th century, only 1st rate other had been Building in 1743 but was burned by arsonists.

The French Navy had been in rapid decline since 1700, and in fact it had been over 30 years since France had launched a first rate ship, and by 1724 the only other French 1st rate left was Royal Louis which hadn't been in a usable state since 1715 and even then could only be used in the summertime. With the appointment of Maurepas in 1723 as the Minister of the French Navy, he would oversee her construction, but after her launch Maurepas would have a hand in shifting the French Navy away from building further 1st rate three deckers, instead newer 74s and eventually 80 gunners by the early 1740s would become standard.

Foudroyant However because of the shift mentioned above, Never put to sea, and as a matter of fact was never in all her 19 years afloat fully rigged, but she did receive her armament in 1725. As the new Royal Louis was taking shape in Brest by 1743. Foudroyant was broken up. although somewhat of propaganda icon, was by now after having been neglected for the past 19 years. was rotten, the order from Foudroyant to be broken up was passed in 1742 and completed in 1743. But Royal Louis however never took her place, for she was burned by arsonists. Another first rate wouldn't be built in france until 1759 during the Seven Years War.