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La Recouvrance (schooner)
Encyclopedia
The Recouvrance is a replica
gaff rigged schooner
, named in honour of Recouvrance
, one of the neighborhoods of Brest.
She was modeled on the plans for the Iris, which was designed by the French naval engineer Hubert in 1817. Originally, there had been five vessels built from the Iris design, and these boats were employed in the early nineteenth century as courier
vessels for the Navy
. Eventually, their role was expanded to include surveillance
and protection of merchant shipping off the Africa
n and West Indian coasts.
The proposal for a replica vessel was taken up by several public and private interests in Brest, which formed the Goelette la Recouvrance organisation to oversee the project. Construction on the ship began in 1991, and employed both volunteer and paid labour. The partially completed Recouvrance was launched
at the Brest '92 maritime festival, and her rig
was completed a year later.
In 1996, management of the vessel was transferred to SOPAB Brest.
She occasionally attends maritime festivals, and has visited many European nations.
Ship replica
A ship replica is a reconstruction of a no longer existing ship. Replicas can range from authentically reconstructed, fully seaworthy ships, to ships of modern construction that give an impression of an historic vessel...
gaff rigged schooner
Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
, named in honour of Recouvrance
Recouvrance, Brest
Recouvrance is the section of the city of Brest, France which lies on the right bank of the river Penfeld. It is a popularly and historically Breton quarter, in contrast to the largely Francophone quarter of Brest-même or Brest-proper on the left bank....
, one of the neighborhoods of Brest.
History
The idea for Recouvrance was originally conceived in 1990.She was modeled on the plans for the Iris, which was designed by the French naval engineer Hubert in 1817. Originally, there had been five vessels built from the Iris design, and these boats were employed in the early nineteenth century as courier
Courier
A courier is a person or a company who delivers messages, packages, and mail. Couriers are distinguished from ordinary mail services by features such as speed, security, tracking, signature, specialization and individualization of express services, and swift delivery times, which are optional for...
vessels for the Navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
. Eventually, their role was expanded to include surveillance
Surveillance
Surveillance is the monitoring of the behavior, activities, or other changing information, usually of people. It is sometimes done in a surreptitious manner...
and protection of merchant shipping off the Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n and West Indian coasts.
The proposal for a replica vessel was taken up by several public and private interests in Brest, which formed the Goelette la Recouvrance organisation to oversee the project. Construction on the ship began in 1991, and employed both volunteer and paid labour. The partially completed Recouvrance was launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
at the Brest '92 maritime festival, and her rig
Rigging
Rigging is the apparatus through which the force of the wind is used to propel sailboats and sailing ships forward. This includes masts, yards, sails, and cordage.-Terms and classifications:...
was completed a year later.
In 1996, management of the vessel was transferred to SOPAB Brest.
Career
Recouvrance sails regularly from Brest, offering day sails for up to 25 passengers and overnight sails for up to 12.She occasionally attends maritime festivals, and has visited many European nations.