Concerning the Fleuron canons and their number I have a question. Maybe Gerarard can help.
The Fleuron is called a 64 gun ship. On the first deck there are 24 canons. On the second deck 26. On upper decks we have 10. All together 60 canons.
Where are the other four canons?
I read, that only in war time there are 12 canons on the Upper Decks instead of 10. So we have 62 canons.
Does anybody know, where are canon 63 and 64?
Thank you
My interpretation as per the monograph:
The model is shown in its original configuration for the "Grand Banc campaign" in May 1732. Armed with 60 guns. This campaign was the ship's first campaign (page 23 of the monograph). It was ranked as a 64-gun ship but may well have never been fitted as such.
Although the original plans and theoretical description show.
Page 8
The ship is fitted with:
First deck - 12 x 24 pdr = 24
Second deck - 13 x 12 pdr = 26
The rest of the armament :
Forecastle - 2 x 6 pdr = 4
Quarterdeck - 5 x 6 pdr = 10 ("The arrangements on the quarterdeck implies that the last 2 guns (per side) be placed in sleeping quarters, which would be condemned during war-time."
24 + 26 + 4 + 10 = 64
Page 10 of the monograph
The original draught shows 5 openings on the quarterdeck: 2 x 2 of which would be located in the stern lodging area. So the total on this deck could be 10 on the sides.
Page 30
Plate 1 of the plans (defining the hull): the same drawing is shown - 5 openings on the quarterdeck x 2 = 10 ports
Page 113
The number of ports is confirmed in the section "division and proportions of the guns ports" (part of original table of scantlings).
The chase ports are not included in the ranking: a 64-gun ship, so the ship would have been fitted with 66 ports, if ever........ which seems unlikely.
G