French ship Courageux (1753)

Courageux was a heavy 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy, launched in 1753. She was captured by the Royal Navy in 1761 and taken into service as HMS Courageux. She was wrecked in 1796.

French service
Courageux was launched in 1753. She was considered heavy because she carried 24-pounder guns on her upper deck rather than the normal 18 pounders.

Capture by the Royal Navy
She was captured by the British ship HMS Bellona, also of 74 guns on 13 August 1761, whilst in the company of two frigates. Courageux sighted Bellona in company with the frigate Brilliant. The British ships pursued, and after 14 hours, caught up with the French ships and engaged, the Brilliant attacking the frigates, and Bellona taking on Courageux. The frigates eventually got away, but Courageux struck her colours, and was later repaired and taken into the Royal Navy as the third rate HMS Courageux.

Fate
She was wrecked off Gibraltar on 18 December 1796.