The French ship Robuste was a 74-gun ship of the line constructed for the French Navy, representing a significant warship of the late 18th century. Built by Antoine Groignard at the Lorient shipyard of the French East India Company, she was initially planned as a 64-gun vessel but was launched on 2 September 1758 as a 74-gun ship, reflecting her later armament configuration. She was officially admitted to active service in April 1759. Robuste's service history includes several notable events. Early in her career, she was involved in a collision with the frigate Hébé on 18 November 1759. By June 1777, she was serving under the command of Lamotte-Picquet and received a distinguished visit from Emperor Joseph II. A significant diplomatic moment occurred on 14 February 1778, when Robuste fired a nine-gun salute in recognition of USS Ranger, marking the first time a foreign warship acknowledged the United States flag. Throughout the American Revolutionary War, Robuste played an active role, notably acting as the flagship for De Grasse during campaigns in 1779 and 1780 and participating in the Battle of Grenada. In 1780, she was under the command of Chateauvert. In July 1782, under Commander Nieuil, she was part of the combined Franco-Spanish fleet under Admiral Córdova and saw action at the Battle of Cape Spartel on 20 October 1782. Later that year, she was stationed at Brest under Croiset de Retz. Robuste was decommissioned and struck from the naval register in 1783, and she was broken up at Brest the following year. Her career highlights her role in key naval battles of the era and underscores her importance as a formidable ship of the line in the French Navy during the late 18th century.

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