French frigate Libre (1796)

The Libre was a Romaine-class frigate of the French Navy. She was built at Le Havre, and though launched in 1796, was not placed into service until 1798.

Career
Libre was commissioned at Le Havre on 24 December 1800 under Commander Bourdet. She sailed from Le Havre in March 1801 in the company of Indienne towards Cherbourg, then Cadiz and La Corogne, before cruising to Saint-Domingue and into the North Sea.

From September to December 1803 she was stationed at the mouth of the River Meuse.

On 24 December 1805, HMS Egyptienne and HMS Loire captured her six leagues north-west of Rochefort, near the "Phare de Baleines" (Lighthouse of the Whales) on the Île de Ré. Libre suffered two killed and 18 wounded, including her captain, Commander Deschorches. Loire had no casualties but Egyptienne had eight men wounded, one mortally.

By British report, Libre was armed with twenty-four 18-pounders (which had replaced her originally-planned 24-pounders), six 36-pounder obusiers and ten 9-pounder guns. Libre was badly damaged and had lost her masts so Loire took her in tow and reached Plymouth with her on 4 January 1806. The British did not take Libre into Royal Navy service.