The Annibal was a 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy, lead ship of her class. She was designed by Jacques-Noël Sané, and was one of the earliest of his works. She was built at Brest in 1778. She sailed out to the West Indies and took part in the Battle of Grenada under Lamotte-Picquet. She was then sent out to the East Indies with Suffren and fought at the battles of Porto Praya, Sadras, Providien, Negapatam and Trincomalee in 1782. The following year she fought at the battle of Cuddalore. She was renamed Achille in 1786 to prevent confusion with the Petit Annibal.