French Royalists Surrender La Lutine to Lord Hood
The frigate La Lutine, previously captured by French Royalists, was surrendered to Lord Samuel Hood. This transition took place on December 18, and the ship was subsequently renamed HMS Lutine. Following its surrender, HMS Lutine became well-known for a treasure wreck later in history.
La Lutine was a French frigate before capture.
Renamed HMS Lutine after British takeover.
Famous for its treasure wreck in 1799.
Admiral Samuel Hood led the surrender.
What Happened?
The frigate La Lutine, a French naval vessel, was under the control of French Royalists during the turbulent period of the French Revolution. As various factions vied for power, many naval assets changed hands. On December 18, the vessel was surrendered to the British under the command of Lord Samuel Hood, an admiral known for his strategic prowess in naval battles. After its capture, the frigate was rechristened as HMS Lutine and assimilated into the Royal Navy’s fleet. This change represented not just the addition of a vessel, but also a significant symbolic victory for the British amidst the ongoing conflicts arising out of the revolutionary fervor across Europe. The frigate would eventually gain infamy in maritime history due to a treasure it carried that sank off the coast of the Netherlands in 1799, but at the time of its surrender, it was a tangible asset in the naval supremacy of Britain over France and its revolutionary allies.
Why Does it Matter?
The surrender and subsequent renaming of La Lutine to HMS Lutine mark a significant moment in naval warfare during a period of intense political upheaval in Europe. The capture reflected the shifting allegiances and control of naval power stemming from the outcomes of the French Revolutionary Wars. The eventual shipwreck of HMS Lutine would lead to treasure hunts and legends that captured the imagination, becoming noteworthy in the annals of maritime adventure and exploration.