The French frigate Aigle, launched in 1780 in Saint-Malo, initially served as a privateer before being acquired by the French Navy in 1782. Originally armed with 28 British 24-pounder long guns, her armament was modified to accommodate French 24-pounder cannons, reflecting the transition from privateering to naval service. Her hull was coppered at Rochefort prior to commissioning, enhancing her durability and speed. During her early service, Aigle was involved in ferrying funds and equipment for Admiral Vaudreuil’s fleet, under Captain Latouche. She participated in various skirmishes, including an encounter with HMS Hector in September 1782, and, notably, captured HMS Racoon off the Delaware River. However, she was grounded during the engagement and subsequently captured by the British, who refloated her and commissioned her as HMS Aigle under Captain Richard Creyk in December 1782 for service in the Leeward Islands. Re-entering service with the British Royal Navy, Aigle was recommissioned in December 1792 under Captain John Nicholson Inglefield, and later commanded by Captain Samuel Hood in 1795. Throughout her British service, she was active in the Mediterranean and off the coast of Portugal, capturing several privateers and merchant vessels, including French privateers Enfant de la Patrie, Henrietté, Hazard, La Manche, and the Spanish packet Patagon. She also participated in the blockade and capture operations around Corsica, including the surrender of Calvi in 1794. Aigle was a fast and coppered frigate, with a notable role in anti-privateering patrols and convoy escort duties during the French Revolutionary Wars. Her service was marked by active engagements and captures, reflecting her importance in maritime warfare of the period. Her career ended in 1798 when she was wrecked on Plane Island off Cape Farina, Tunisia, due to navigational error; all crew members were saved, and her loss was deemed not to reflect on her captain’s conduct.

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