French frigate Diane (1796)

Diane was a 38-gun frigate of the French Navy, launched in 1796. She participated in the battle of the Nile, but in August 1800 the Royal Navy captured her. She was taken into British service as HMS Niobe, and broken up in 1816.

French career
She took part in the Battle of the Nile, managing to escape to Malta with FRENCH FRIGATE Justice. During the battle Rear-Admiral Denis Decrès was on board Diane in his capacity as commander of the frigate squadron. He would go on to become Napoleon's Minister of Marine.

In 1800, as she tried to escape from Malta, HMS Success (1781), HMS Northumberland (1798), and HMS Genereux captured her. At the time she had only 114 men on board, having left the remainder at Malta to assist in its defense.

British career
The Royal Navy commissioned her as HMS Niobe, under the command of Captain John Wentworth Loring, there already being an HMS Diana (1794) in service.

On 28 March 1806, Niobe was off Groix when she captured the 16-gun FRENCH BRIG Néarque, which had just separated from Leduc's division.

Niobe, still under Captain Loring, and HMS Argus (1799), Commander James Stuart, captured the Danish ship King of Assianthe on 31 August 1807.

On 13 November 1810, off Le Havre along with Diana, Niobe sighted the 40-gun FRENCH FRIGATE Amazone and the 44-gun FRENCH FRIGATE Elisa. HMS Donegal (1798) and HMS Revenge (1805) joined the chase, attacking the French squadron when it was anchored at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue at the action of 15 November 1810. Eventually, Elisa was wrecked near La Hougue, while Amazone escaped to Le Havre. Four months later at the action of 24 March 1811, Niobe participated in the destruction of the French frigate Amazone near the Phare de Gatteville lighthouse, Normandy.

On 24 March 1811, she sailed with a squadron comprising HMS Berwick, HMS Amelia (1796), HMS Goshawk (1806), and HMS Hawk (1806), again chased Amazone, which they trapped near Barfleur. Amazone's crew scuttled her to prevent her capture.

Fate
HMS Niobe was eventually sold on 31 July 1816.