Forte (fencing) Forte (fencing) In fencing, forte (from the Romance root meaning "strong") is "the strong part" of the blade—the one third-closest to the hilt. The "strength" refers to the control established over the opponent's weapon upon contact of one's forte with the opponent's foible (a situation of favourable leverage). (See also parry (fencing).) Fencer Ridolfo Capo Ferro defined the forte as the blade from the hilt to the middle. From the middle to the top is known as the debole. The debole is the part of the sword, especially a rapier, that is used for offensive actions. Italian fencing master Ridolfo
French frigate Forte (1794) French frigate Forte (1794) Forte was a French 42-gun frigate, lead ship of her class. Launched on 26 September 1794 and commissioned two months later under Commander Beaulieu-Leloup, "Forte" was part of a large frigate squadron under contre-amiral Sercey, also comprising "Prudente", "Régénérée", "Vertu", "Seine", "Cybèle" and "Preneuse". The division sailed to Ile de France to raid commerce in the Indian Ocean. On 15 May 1796 "Forte", "Vertu", "Seine", and "Régénérée" were cruising between St Helena and the Cape of Good Hope hoping to capture British East Indiamen when they encountered the British whaler on her way to Walvis Bay.