Shipwrecks of Saint Malo
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The two Shipwrecks of Saint Malo, the Aimable Grenot and the Dauphin, were found in 1995 on the Natière reef off the coast of Saint-Malo, dating to the first part of the 18th century. Their discovery and the later underwater excavation has given insight into 18th century marine lifestyles and shipbuilding.[1][2]
In the 17th and 18th centuries the Port of Saint-Malo was very busy and heavily used, with over 3000 arrivals and departures and 100,000 tonnes of trade each year. However the harbour as it was bore the full brunt of strong currents, a large tidal range and reefs. Thus, the reefs and rocks have one of the world's largest underwater graveyards.[3] The port trade led to local population growth and new buildings. The more easterly towns of Granville and Le Havre, some of which saw prior short stays at Saint-Malo for urgent resupply/repairs, were also key to transcontinental trade.[4]
The Dauphine
La Dauphine was built over the winter of 1702–03 and fitted out as a 300 tonne frigate, when she was sunk she was under the command of Captain Michel Dubocage. The excavations uncovered 31 metres of the starboard side from the aft to the gun deck. As a commercial raiding (privateer) vessel she had been given to private merchants by Louis XIV for "Commerce Raiding Against the State's Enemies". She was escorting a captured English ship, the Dragon, when she sank at the entrance to Saint-Malo on 11 December 1704.[5] The ship appeared to have gone over the Atlantic or the Mediterranean, as ascertained by the presence of crockery, heavy ordinance and both pistols. Many finds were recovered including personal items of the crew.[5][6]
Research has built up an image of Dubocage, from La Havre. He had been a frigate lieutenant since the age of 16 and captained his first vessel at the age of 18 in 1694. He appears to have been a party to commercial raids. After the sinking he was cleared of incompetence and went on to have a full naval career including expeditions to the Pacific; he died in 1727 as a wealthy benefactor to La Havre.[7]