La Recouvrance (schooner)

La Recouvrance is a replica gaff rigged schooner which is a symbol of Brest, France. She takes her name from Recouvrance, one of the neighborhoods of Brest.

History

The idea for "La 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 vessels for the Navy. Eventually, their role was expanded to include surveillance and protection of merchant shipping off the African and West Indian coasts.

The proposal for a replica vessel was taken up by several public and private interests in Brest, who formed the association "Goelette la Recouvrance" (Schooner "Recouvrance") to oversee the project. Construction on the ship began in 1991, and employed both volunteer and paid labor. 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.

Career

"La 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.

Gallery

References

* [http://www.larecouvrance.com "La Recouvrance" official site (in French)]
* [http://www.larecouvrance.com/uk/detail/detail.htm "La Recouvrance" official site (in English)]
* [http://www.sopab.fr/ SOPAB official site]
* [http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Recouvrance French Wikipédia entry for "La Recouvrance"]
* [http://www.chantierduguip.com Chantier du Guip, the shipyard where "La Recouvrance" was built]