|
CELEBRE |
|
|
| Type |
Warship |
| Tonnage |
Not specified |
| Displacement |
Not specified |
| LOA |
154.1991 |
| Beamwidth |
n/a |
| Draws |
Not specified |
| Nationality |
Not specified |
| Captain |
Not specified |
| Era |
n/a |
| Year Built |
Not specified |
| Place Built |
Brest |
| Year Launched |
Not specified |
| Place Launched |
Not specified |
| Service History |
CELEBRE was a French warship of 64 guns commanded by De Marolle in 1758. She was built in Brest. |
| Last Voyage |
British cannon fire struck the poop of the CELEBRE during the siege of Louisbourg and set off some cartridges. The fire caught her mizzen mast, and the small number of men aboard were unable to put it out. Sparks from the fire set fire to the ENTREPRENANT which in turn set fire to the CAPRICIEUX. All three vessels were destroyed in the enormous fire as they drifted across the harbour, guns spontaneously shooting off in the heat. The fire destroyed over half the remaining French fleet in Louisbourg. The defenders were demoralized. The besiegers, although encouraged, were also moved by the inferno. "To humanity, altho an enemy, the scene was very shocking," wrote a British officer. The large number of wrecks which fell victim to the siege at Louisbourg make underwater identification difficult. Which one of the many wrecks in Louisbourg Harbour was CELEBRE? Careful archaeology by Parks Canada provided the answer. A bronze tube was the key to identifying the wreck of CELEBRE. Called "the working barrel" it was part of a hollow tube which allowed water to be pumped out of the "bilges" (the bottom of the ship). Different French shipyards used different barrel lengths. This particular length was used on vessels made at Brest. Because CELEBRE was the only sunken warship at Louisbourg built at Brest, a positive identification could be made. CELEBRE's wreck is protected from the open ocean by Louisbourg's harbour and is well preserved. It is also close to the Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site which has made it easier to protect from souvenir hunters. The wreck has been carefully documented and a limited number of artifacts have been taken up for study. The wreck is open to supervised recreational diving booked through licensed tour operators at Louisbourg. Its rows of cannons and mounds of recognizable artifacts make it a popular international diving attraction. |
| Year Sunk |
n/a |
| Place Sunk |
n/a |
| Cause of Sinking |
British cannon fire |
| Passenger/Crew List |
Not specified |
| Loss of Life |
Not specified |
| Body of Water |
Atlantic |
| Depth |
Not specified |
| Condition |
Not specified |
| Latitude |
N 045o 055' |
| Longitude |
W 059o 059' |
| Vessel Cargo |
Not specified |
| Vessel Discovered By |
Not specified |
| Date Discovered |
Not specified |
| Was Salvaged? |
No |
| Submitted By: |
Not Specified |
| Date Submitted: |
0000-00-00 |
|
|
