Replica of Renard |
|
| Career (France) | |
|---|---|
| Launched: | 1812 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Cutter |
The Renard was a cutter armed by Robert Surcouf. She was his eighth and last privateer ship.
Renard was launched in 1812 and commissioned under captain Leroux-Desrochettes. On 9 September 1812, beginning at 5 p.m. and lasting through the night, Renard successfully engaged the British 16-gun Alphea, crewed by over 80 sailors. Combat was intense and bloody until at 3 a.m. the following morning, when the Alphea took two direct hits from Renard to (presumably) the powder magazine and exploded. There were no reported survivors. Leroux-Desrochettes had an arm shot away and later died of his injuries. Renard returned to France with only 13 able-bodied men.
A replica of Renard was built in May 1991 by the association Cotre corsaire.