In 1778, Solitaire was part of the Third Division of the Blue squadron in the fleet of Orvilliers,[7] and took part in the Battle of Ushant on 27 July 1778 under Captain Briqueville.[8][5]
In 1779, she was part of a division under Louis Augustin de Monteclerc, also comprising the frigates Inconstante and Surveillante, and led an expedition to hunt down privateers. The division returned to Brest on 4 May 1779 with 400 prisoners.[9] Later that year, Solitaire was attached to a squadron under Orvilliers.[9][10]
After a dark night, Solitaire, Captain de Borda, found herself in the morning close to a squadron of eight British ships under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Hughes, which was on its way from Gibraltar. The English gave chase and Solitaire sailed to delay them and give the rest of the French squadron a chance to escape.[12]
At 12:30 and engagement developed between Solitaire and HMS Ruby. As another British vessel approached Solitaire had to strike. Speedy was captured in the same action,[13] after a vigorous defence. In the action, her captain, Ribiers, was killed, together with a large part of her crew.[12] Among the crew members taken prisoners was the young Swedish naval officer Johan Herman Schützercrantz, who would later become a rear admiral in Swedish service.[14]
Lavery, Brian (2003). The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650–1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN0-85177-252-8.
Roche, Jean-Michel (2005). Dictionnaire des bâtiments de la flotte de guerre française de Colbert à nos jours 1 1671 - 1870. p. 48. ISBN978-2-9525917-0-6. OCLC165892922.
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