Virginie was a 40-gun frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of its class.

On 22 April 1796, Virginie was cruising off Ireland under captain Jacques Bergeret when she encountered a British squadron under Commodore Edward Pellew, comprising the Razee 44 gun HMS Indefatigable and the frigates Argo, Concord, Révolutionnaire, Amazon and their prize Unité, captured on 13 April.

[1] Virginie retreated and the British squadron gave chase, joining with the French frigate around 23:00.

Indefatigable closed in and exchanged broadsides, without succeeding in her attempts at raking Virginie.

The gunnery exchange lasted for 4 hours, until the British frigates caught up.