French ship Soleil-Royal (1670)

The Soleil Royal, one of four ships of the same name in the French Navy, was a ship of the line of the first rank of the 17th century and flagship of Admiral Tourville.

It was designed by architect Laurent Hubac, built 1669-1671 in Brest. The maiden voyage is dated around 1680-1690. With 104 guns she was the flagship of the fleet du Ponant. It was named the Soleil Royal in honor of Louis XIV.

On May 12, 1692 Soleil Royal led a fleet of 45 ships, the course took on Barfleur. On May 29, the ships met the combined fleets of the English and Dutch with a total of 97 ships. After a twelve-hour battle took the combined fleets with great losses to escape. Were damaged by the battle three French ships, among them the Soleil Royal, pulled for repair work on the beach of Cherbourg. On 2 and 3 June 1692 defenseless ships were placed and destroyed by the English and Dutch on fire.

Specifications

• Length between perpendiculars: 55 m
• Length over all: 61 m
• Width of the beam: 15.64 m
• Draft: 7.64 m
• Armament: 104 guns
• Displacement: 1630 tons
• Construction period: 1669-1671
• Crew: 900-950 man