Ariane was a 40-gun frigate of the French Navy, lead ship of her class.
Career
Ariane was commissioned on 9 January 1812 under Captain Jean-Baptiste-Henri Féretier.
Between 21 February 1812 and 17 May, a three-vessel French squadron consisting of the frigates Ariane and , and the brig engaged in commerce raiding in the Atlantic. They captured numerous British and American vessels and burnt them all, except for , M'Master, master, and Woodrup, Sims, master. They made a cartel of Patent, putting their British prisoners aboard her; she arrived at Plymouth on 24 May. The American prisoners the French put on Woodrop, which they sent to America.
Returning to Lorient, the squadron met the British 74-gun ship-of-the-line , Captain Henry Hotham. In the ensuing action of 22 May 1812, the two frigates ran aground trying to escape their much stronger opponent; their crews set them afire to prevent the frigates's capture.