Le Pélican Warship, France 1693.

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Item	sail_boat_pelican_wood_475
Artist	Carved wood
Made in	Canada

Le Pélican Warship, France 1693

Description

French Warship (very rare)

Condition*

Very nice condition

Measurements

24 inch X 18 H

Photography

Provided by Antique, collectibles & Vintage Interchange

Location

Montréal, Canada

Price & taxes if applicable

$325.00 cdn

Shipping rates & taxes if applicable

The Pélican was a French warship from the late 17th century. Built in Bayonne, France, the original Pélican was launched in 1693. A 500 ton ship equipped with 44 guns and commanded by Captain Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville, she ran aground on the shores of Hudson Bay a few days after an heroic battle, badly damaged by the encounter and a fierce storm. The Pélican's life was short but glorious. She set sail from France on 8 April 1697 and ran aground on the shores of Hudson Bay on 8 September of the same year. However, in five short months of service, her place in history was assured as the victor in the greatest naval battle in the history of New France. On learning that the English were planning to keep control of Hudson Bay, Louis XIV, King of France, assembled a fleet of warships, consisting of the Pélican, the Palmier, the Wesp, and the Profond, in order to recapture Fort Bourbon as the French called York Factory, Manitoba, the heart of the fur trade. On the morning of 5 September 1697, the Pélican, temporarily separated from her sister ships, came face to face with three English ships – the Hampshire, the Dering, and the Hudson Bay – which were carrying supplies to the nearby fort. Although they were outnumbered, the crew of the Pélican engaged in battle, and triumphed, thereby earning their place in history. The Pélican, however, was also fatally damaged in the battle. Holed below the waterline, the Pélican had to be abandoned. The Pélican's victory, later known as Battle of Hudson's Bay, was certainly due in large part to the leadership of Captain Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville. In addition to setting an example of courage and valour for his men, he fought a remarkable strategic battle with the result that the Hampshire sank, the Dering retreated, and the Hudson Bay was captured complete with cargo.

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