The French ship Sagittaire was a 50-gun ship of the line constructed for the French Navy, with her design attributed to Coulomb. However, due to Coulomb's departure on a mission to Malta, her launch was overseen by Chapelle. The vessel's specifications evolved over time, including modifications around 1781 when six 6-pounder guns were added to her quarterdeck and forecastle, and her lower gun deck's 24-pounder guns were replaced with 18-pounders. Sagittaire played an active role in several notable naval engagements during the late 18th century. In December 1778, she participated in the Battle of St. Lucia, tasked with bombarding the British battery on the southern peninsula alongside the 32-gun Chimère. She was also instrumental in the action on 8 July, when she and Fantasque compelled the British frigate HMS Mermaid to beach herself at Cape Henhlopen. In June 1779, Sagittaire, along with Vengeur, Chimère, and Aimable, departed for Martinique under Brach, serving as a distraction during the departure of other French forces. She further distinguished herself on 14 July, under Albert de Rions, when she, along with Fantasque and other frigates, captured the Grenadines. The vessel also contributed to the capture of the HMS Ceres in December 1778 and seized the 50-gun HMS Experiment in September 1779, which was transporting a significant cargo of piastres. Following this, she returned to Toulon with Experiment in late 1779. In 1781, Sagittaire set sail from France under Montluc de la Bourdonnaye to join the French squadron off Rhode Island, later escorting convoys to protect them from British squadrons during the American Revolutionary War. She was loaned to the Compagnie de Chine in 1783 to serve as a merchantman until 1785. Her service concluded with her being hulked in Lorient in 1788, and she was eventually sold in 1790 for use as a merchant vessel. Throughout her career, Sagittaire demonstrated versatility in combat, convoy escort, and commercial roles, marking her as a significant vessel within the late 18th-century French naval forces.

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