Location: Upper Deck – Murray Models
The Ship
A 74-gun ship of the line, Le Superbe was built from the design of one of the most famous naval architects and engineers, Jacque Noel Sane. For 30 years, Sane designed French naval warships.
Laid down in the shipbuilding yard of Brest, Bretagne, France, in 1782 and launched in 1784, Le Superbe is a fine specimen of French naval vessels of the Old Regime, the Revolution and Empire. Le Superbe was lost in a gale along with two other larger ships (Scipion, 80 guns, and Neuf Thermidor, also 80 guns) in 1795. Other ships designed by Sane include the well-known Le Fouguex, 74 guns, taken by Nelson at Trafalgar, L’Audacious, L’orion, Le Borre, Le Temeraire, Le Generiaux, Le Patriote, La Ferme and Le Leopard.
During the 30 years following the launching of these ships, many were captured by the British Navy.
Sane’s talent as a ship designer and builder was confirmed by the judgment of his compatriots and their adversaries. Thus the British naval historian, William James, said of one of them, the Ville de Paris: “She was not only the biggest, but the most beautiful ever seen, and in spite of her size, she was as fast and as maneuverable as a frigate.”
The Model
Plank on frame by J. Stephen Murray circa 1987.
H 40” L 44” W 18”