| French Lugger Le Coureur (1776) |
| Sunday, 04 February 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Le Coureur from ShipYard Laser cut card boards with all fittings included in the box. Le Coureur was built in 1776 in Dunkirk, two years before next outbreak of war between England and France. In parallel in America thirteen states were fighting for their independence. In 1778 United States signed alliance treaty with France resulting with ultimatum demanding from England removal of their troops and acknowledgment of United States as sovereign state.
France was looking for any reason to start open conflict with England, and such one occurred on June 17th 1778 on Channel La Manche waters. French 30-gun frigate Belle Poule led observation operations over British Channel squadron. Belle Poule was accompanied by frigate La Licorne and lugger Le Coureur.
When French commander refused to make any explanations to met British frigate Arethusa both sides opened fire. Heavy and vicious fight took over five hours. Both frigates experienced heavy damages and had to retreat back to their bases. Le Courer and HMS Alert combated board to board shooting without break for nearly two hours. In the end after sacrificial defence and unsuccessful abordage attempt, La Coureur’s commander Chevalier De Rosily has been taken along with the ship for captivity. For his bravery he was awarded with Sait Louis Cross. HMS Alert was better armed.
In 1780 Le Coureur has been retaken by American corsairs, and armed with eight guns was typical corsair lugger of 18th century. Perfect hull’s shape with relatively large sails surface allowed to reach high speeds. The ship was able to take 50-80 people. Such attributes made from the lugger very dangerous vessel for every merchant ship.
Le Coureur from Shipyard is available in two versions:
Content of the box:
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