The Renard was a cutter armed by Robert Surcouf

Robert Surcouf

Robert Surcouf was a famous French corsair. During his legendary career, he captured 47 ships and was renowned for his gallantry and chivalry, earning the nickname of Roi des Corsaires .- Youth :...

. 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.