Thomas Luny (1759-1837)

Built in Le Harve in 1778-9, the French privateer Le Monsieur was captured by the Alexander and Courageux on 12 March 1780, before being refitted and renamed as the frigate Monsieur in Portsmouth later that year. The next three years saw the now British frigate involved in many small skirmishes and actions in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, taking several French ships as prizes before being sold off on 25 September 1783 at Deptford to James Curry for £820. Not much is known of the frigate's history after this, but Luny's 1788 portrayal of her lying in the Thames adds to our knowledge of her story, showing another reinvention, this time as an armed merchant ship preparing for her next voyage.