in april 1794 "ardent" was stationed off the harbour of villa franca, to watch two french frigates. it is presumed that she caught fire and blew up. encountered some wreckage while cruising in the gulf of genoa in the summer that suggested fire and an explosion. a part of "ardent's" quarter deck with some gunlocks deeply embedded in it was found floating in the area, as was splinter netting driven into planking. no trace was ever found of her crew of 500.