Plan of Courageux Courageux was a French 74, designed by Jean Geffroy, launched at Brest dockyard in 1753. Battered by raking broadsides at point-blank, having 240 men killed and 110 ones wounded on a complement of 650, she surrendered in 1761 off Vigo to the British 74 Bellona after a short duel. ¤ Both ships were excellent. French guns were excellent as well, perhaps better than the British ones. During the approach, the French achieved to damage Bellona's mizzen mast a