French cutter Renard (1812)
Introduction The '''''Renard''''' was a cutter launched in 1812 and armed and owned by Robert Surcouf. It was Surcouf’s eighth and last privateer ship. ''Renard'' cruised under Captain Aimable Sauveur until 23 August 1813, when he required a replacement. Command then went to Emmanuel Leroux-Desrochettes.On 9 September 1813, beginning at 5 p.m. and lasting through the night, ''Renard'' successfully engaged the British 10-gun schooner , crewed by 35 sailors. Combat was intense and bloody until at 3:30 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. ''Renard'' lost five men killed and 31 wounded, including her captain, who had an arm shot away and later died of his injuries. ''Renard'' returned to France with only 13 able-bodied men. ''Alphea'' had carried a crew of 41 men.
Replica Modern replica of ''Renard''The ''Association du Cotre Corsaire Le Renard (loi de 1901)'' built a sailing replica of ''Renard'' in May 1991.One may rent the modern ''Renard'' for a day, for cruises, or for meetings.
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