Le Superbe Cross Section (1785 France)

Collection in Bristol, UK.

Le Superbe was a French Navy ship of the line, launched in 1784. The hull design of Le Superbe is typical of French naval architecture of the late 18th century.

The ship has a wooden hull that is 190 feet (58 meters) long and 52 feet (16 meters) wide at the widest point. The hull is divided into three decks, with a total height of 20 feet (6.1 meters). The ship has a displacement of approximately 2,500 tons.

The hull of Le Superbe is designed with a more rounded shape compared to British ships of the same era, which gives the ship a wider beam and a greater capacity for carrying heavy guns. The bow of the ship is relatively blunt, with a pronounced "tumblehome" shape that reduces wind resistance and makes the ship more stable in rough seas.

The stern of Le Superbe is also distinctive, featuring a "gallery" or ornamental balcony that extends out from the stern and is decorated with carved woodwork. This feature was common on French naval ships of the time and was intended to convey the power and prestige of the French Navy.

Overall, the hull design of Le Superbe reflects the emphasis on elegance and grandeur that was typical of French naval architecture in the late 18th century. The ship was regarded as one of the most beautiful and impressive ships of its time, but it also had a formidable reputation as a warship. Today, the ship is no longer in service, but its legacy lives on as a symbol of French naval engineering and design.