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''Cygne'' was an ''Abeille''-class 16-gun brig of the French Navy, launched in 1806. ==Career== On 10 November 1808, under Lieutenant Menouvrier Defresne, ''Cygne'' departed Cherbourg, part of a squadron under Rear-Admiral Hamelin also comprising the frigates ''Vénus'', ''Junon'', ''Amphitrite'' and the brig ''Papillon''. bound for Martinique.〔(François Marie 2ème Denis de Keredern de Trobriand )〕 The next day, the ships of the squadron were scattered.〔 On 13, ''Cygne'' captured the Portuguese ship ''Miliciano'' and set her ablaze.〔 Arriving near Martinique, ''Cygne'' was chased by the frigate HMS ''Circe'' (Augustin Collier), the corvette ''Stork'' (George Le Geyt), the brigs (John Brown), ''Amaranthe'' (Pelham Brenton), ''Epervier'' (Thomas Tudor) and the schooner ''Express'' (William Dowers).〔Troude, p.519-520〕 On 12 December, ''Cygne'' passed the Northern cape of Martinique; seeing that he would be overhauled by the British squadron before reaching Saint-Pierre, Menouvrier Defresne decided to drop anchor under a shore battery at Anse Céron.〔〔Troude, p.520〕 Two of the British brigs then dropped anchor in positions that cut ''Cygne''′s retreat to Saint-Pierre, while the other ships launched boats to attempt a cutting out boarding.〔Troude notes that Defresne reported seven boats each carrying about 50 men, while James states that only 68 men were involved〕 ''Cygne'' sank three before they reached her. ''Circe'' approached with her crew ready for boarding, but was repelled by a grapeshot broadside, while the surviving boats reached ''Cygne''′s stern; the British party was repelled and 17 men were taken prisonners.〔 The next day, ''Cygne'' found herself becalmed; Defresne attempted to move his ship by having her hauled from the shore by infantrymen and by using her oars, and progressed towards Saint-Pierre, under fire from ''Amaranthe''. But due to a navigation error, ''Cygne'' ran aground and started taking water. As the other British ships closed within range, Defresne ordered ''Cygne'' abandoned and scuttled by fire.〔〔Troude, p.521〕 Defresne was offered a sword of honour by the city of Saint-Pierre for his defence. As a token of esteem, Brenton gifted him a sword belt, and Lieutenant Hay, a dagger.〔 The wreck was discovered in 1991 and was explored the next year.〔(Liste des naufrages en Martinique consignés dans les fonds d'Archives )〕〔(Liste des sites archéologiques sous-marins de la Martinique )〕 A 1/36th scale model of the ship is on display at the Musée national de la Marine in Paris.〔(Maquette de bateau, Cygne, brick, 1806-1808 )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「French brig Cygne (1806)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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