Chimère was a 32-gun frigate of the French Navy. She notably took part in the War of American Independence.

Chimère was ordered as a privateer by the Chamber of commerce of Marseille on 18 October 1756. On 10 October 1757, the French Navy purchased her, while still under construction.^[1]

She first served in the Mediterranean under Faucher. In 1758, she returned Turkish prisoners to Constantinople.^[2] She was next under L'Isle Taulanne, and Tressemanes.^[1]

On 13 April 1778, Chimère departed Toulon, under Saint-Césaire, as part of a squadron under Admiral d'Estaing Sagittaire, along with Languedoc, Tonnant, César, Zélé, Hector, Guerrier, Marseillais, Protecteur, Vaillant, Provence and Fantasque.^[3][1]

She fought at the Battle of St. Lucia on 15 December 1778, where she was tasked to bombard the British battery on the Southern peninsula, along with the 50-gun Sagittaire.^[4]

On 9 June 1779, Vengeur and Sagittaire, along with the frigates Chimère and Aimable, departed for Martinique under Brach as a distraction to cover Du Rumain's departure, who was sailing for his Capture of Saint Vincent with Lavely, Lys and four transports.^[5]

On 8 July 1778, she was at Sandy Hook, and was sent to Philadelphia to ferry Ambassador Rayneval.^[1]

She then took part in the Siege of Savannah,^[1][6] under Trolong du Rumain.^[6]

From 1780, Chimère was loaned to be used as a merchantman. In August 1783, she was sold.^[1]

• Lacour-Gayet, Georges (1910). La marine militaire de la France sous le règne de Louis XVI. Paris: Honoré Champion. pp. 431–434.
• Moulin, Stéphane (1922). La Carrière d'un Marin au XVIIIème siècle ; Joseph de Flotte 1734-1792. Gap: éditions Jean et Peyrot. OCLC 902496109.
• Roche, Jean-Michel (2005). Dictionnaire des bâtiments de la flotte de guerre française de Colbert à nos jours. Vol. 1. Group Retozel-Maury Millau. ISBN 978-2-9525917-0-6. OCLC 165892922. (1671-1870)
• Troude, Onésime-Joachim (1867). Batailles navales de la France (in French). Vol. 2. Challamel ainé.