French ship Soleil Royal (1669)

Drawing of Soleil Royal by Antoine Morel-Fatio
History
French Navy EnsignKingdom of France
Laid downDecember 1668
Launched13 December 1669
CompletedAugust 1670
Commissioned1671 (?)
Out of servicenight of 2 and 3 June 1692
FateDestroyed by fireships
General characteristics
Displacement1,630 tonnes
Length61 m (200 ft)
Beam15.64 m (51.3 ft)
Draught7.64 m (25.1 ft)
Propulsionsails
Complement836
Armament

Soleil Royal (Royal Sun) was a French 104-gun ship of the line, flagship of Admiral Tourville.

She was built in Brest between 1668 and 1670 by engineer Laurent Hubac, was launched in 1669, and stayed unused in Brest harbour for years. She was recommissioned with 112 guns and 1200 men when the Nine Years' War broke out in 1688 as the flagship of the escadre du Ponant (squadron of the West).

She was said to be a good sailing ship and her decorations were amongst the most beautiful and elaborate of all baroque flagships. The emblem of the "sun" had been chosen by Louis XIV as his personal symbol.


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