|
In French
This monograph of the brig LE CYGNE
(The Swan) represents a ship's type of the imperial
navy. Armed with two 8-pdr guns and fourteen 24-pdr
carronades, construction of LE CYGNE was begun in
Le Havre at the end of April 1806. She was launched
on 12 September of the same year by the builder
Jamez, based on the engineer Pestel's plans. 90
feet in length, with a midship beam measuring 26
feet, 6 inches, a depth of 13 feet, 6 inches, this
ship is one of the most representative of the brig
called a 24-pdr in the French Navy (the caliber of
the carronades in the main armaments).
Approximately 60 such ships were built during the
period 1801-1813.
A very fine model of LE CYGNE in the Musée
de la Marine in Paris (MG13) enabled us to
illustrate our work with vivid details that only a
period ship's model could provide.
Moreover, we were able to choose from the extremely
rich documentation (plans of the hull,
superstructure and rigging).
We are able to relive the adventures of Le Cygne,
although her career was brief, through the reports
of her captain ship's lieutenant TROBRIAND.
These powerful engines of war (the weight of Le
Cygne's broadside guns was superior to the
celebrated Belle-Poule's broadside) would slip
through the British blockade on stormy nights to
disturb English commercial activities or carry
supplies to the French colonies. As is the case in
our other monographs, the directions given allow
the ship's model builder to choose between
constructing a model of Le Cygne or one of her
sister ships.
|
