French frigate Preneuse ( 1795 ) The Preneuse was a 44 - gun frigate of the French Navy , lead ship of her class . She served as a commerce raider at Île de France . Career . In 1795 , " Preneuse " was stationned at Rochefort under Captain Larcher . She was then transferred to the Indian Ocean station , commanded by Rear - Admiral Sercey . In 1796 , she was a Mauritius under Captain Ravenel , at Port - Nord - Ouest . In March 1798 , under Lhermitte , she ferried ambassadors from Mysore sent by Tippu Sultan to île de France to request help against the British . Near Tellicherry , " Preneuse " encountered two East Indiamen , the " Raymond " and the " Woodcot " , anchored under the protection of coastal batteries ; she attacked and captured the ships on 20 April , after a one - hour battle . She left the diplomatic mission at Mangalore , and sailed to Batavia . She was soon joined by the 22 - gun corvette " Brûle - Gueule " , which ferried Rear - Admiral Sercey . The squadron sailed to Surabaya , where a settlement was established . A small mutiny broke out when " Preneuse " crew refused to let go of the British flags captured at Tellicherry ; Lhermitte had personally to confront the mutineers with his sabre to re - establish discipline . He then had a firing squad execute five of the mutineers . After a short stay at Surabaya , " Preneuse " and " Brûle - Gueule " sailed for a three - month cruise , capturing 40 British merchantmen . After returning to Subaraya , Sercey set his flag on " Preneuse " and the squadron sailed for île de France . They arrived in May 1799 , encountering the British blockade composed of three ships of the line , one frigate and one brig . The French ships reached Rivière Noire District , where they were joined by a number of coastal ships offering assistance . " Preneuse " and " Brûle - Gueule " anchored in the bay . They sent seven 18 - pounders ashore and the French built an improvised fort to guard the entrance of the bay ; it sustained a 3 - week siege before the British retreated . In August 1799 , " Preneuse " departed for a patrol near Cape of Good Hope and Madagascar . On 4 September , she fought against five British ships . In September , she fought against a 64 - gun ship of the line . " Preneuse " also attempted to supply arms to the Graaff Reinet Republic of Adriaan van Jaarsveld . On the 20th , she sailed into Algoa Bay under Danish colours , when 16 - gun ship - sloop recognised her . " Preneuse " exchanged cannon fire with " Rattlesnake " and the armed store ship " Camel " , before retreating . On 9 October 1799 , as " Preneuse " neared Good Hope , the 54 - gun HMS " Jupiter " encountered her and gave chase . After 22 hours , " Jupiter " gained on " Preneuse " , and the two vessels exchanged fire . " Preneuse " managed to outmaneuver " Jupiter " and rake her ; the British then retreated to avoid being boarded , and managed to escape . On 11 December 1799 , as she returned to Île de France , " Preneuse " encountered the 74 - gun , under Captain John Osborn . " Tremendous " gave chase . As " Preneuse " closed to the land , the 50 - gun , under Captain William Hotham , cut her escape route . While " Preneuse " was attempting to sail under the protection of the coastal forts at Baie - du - Tombeau , erratic winds drove her ashore . The British closed in and battered " Preneuse " , which Lhermitte then deemed lost . He had the crew abandon ship , while he stayed behind with his officers , struck the colours and scuttled the frigate . British boats attempted to recover " Preneuse " , but she came under fire from the coastal batteries and they abandoned the attempt . The British took " Preneuse " s officers to " Adamant " , where Commodore Botham treated them with courtesy . He released Lhermitte on parole the next day .