The César was a 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy, lead ship of her class. She took part in the American war of Independence under Captain de Raimondis. On 16 August 1778, she fought against HMS Iris. She took part in the Battle of the Chesapeake. She was present at the Battle of the Saintes, where she was totally dismasted, and captured by HMS Centaur; soon afterwards, her magazines detonated, killing 400 French and 50 English sailors.