The French ship Infatigable was launched in 1798 at Nantes, representing a typical privateer vessel of its era. She was commissioned in December 1798 with a crew of 120 men and was armed with 18 guns, designed for swift and aggressive maritime operations. The vessel's primary purpose was privateering, targeting enemy ships during the ongoing conflicts of the late 18th century. In March 1799, the Infatigable’s career as a privateer was cut short when she was captured by the British Royal Navy. On 6 March 1799, the British ship HMS Ethalion engaged her in the English Channel after a prolonged chase that lasted approximately ten hours. At the time of her capture, Infatigable was only one day out of Nantes, fully provisioned for a four-month cruise, indicating her readiness for extended privateering missions. The privateer was armed with 18 guns and had a crew of 120 men, reflecting her formidable firepower for a private vessel. Following her capture, the British took her into service briefly under the name HMS Dispatch. However, she was never commissioned into active Royal Navy service. Instead, she was laid up at Portsmouth and subsequently offered for sale by the Navy authorities. The vessel was sold on 7 September 1801 for £765, marking the end of her brief period in British hands. The Infatigable's history highlights the transient nature of privateering vessels during this tumultuous period. Her capture and subsequent sale illustrate the naval conflicts and the importance of privateers in maritime warfare. Although she did not have a long or distinguished service record under the British flag, her story encapsulates the vessel's role in the broader context of late 18th-century maritime conflict and privateering activities.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.