Hippopotame was a 50-gun ship of the line of the French Navy, designed by François Coulomb the Younger.

In 1777, Pierre Beaumarchais purchased her as part of a commercial entreprise to provide weapons of the American independentist insurgents.

[5] In 1769, Hippopotame was at Saint Domingue and Martinique under Vaudreuil, along with Solitaire,[6] ferrying troops to the French colonies in the Caribbeans.

Her captain, Montault, was killed,[1][10] and 22-year old auxiliary officer Ganteaume[11][12][13][14] The requisition of Fier Rodrigue caused several ships of Beaumarchais' convoy to be captured.

[9] On 1 August 1780, Fier Rodrigue arrived at Île de Ré, escorting a 15-ship convoy from New England, as well as two prizes captured from the British.