Belle Poule - OcCre 15007

The “Belle Poule” was a 60-gun French Navy frigate. Frigates were versatile and fast warships designed for speed and maneuverability, serving roles in both combat and exploration. Frigates like the “Belle Poule” were known for their speed and maneuverability, making them ideal for a variety of tasks, including pursuing and attacking enemy vessels, as well as for exploration and patrol missions. Although its construction began in 1828, the Belle Poule was not launched until 1834. It was one of the first ships to be built in a covered shipyard, allowing builders to delay construction when political and financial circum- stances were unfavorable. Its design was inspired by the frigate class of the USS Constitution. It was commissioned in July 1835, and exhibited quite good sailing properties. The event that truly made the “Belle Poule” famous was the repatriation of Napoleon’s ashes aboard the Belle Poule from the island of Saint Helena to France. An event that will be remembered as it marked the end of the Napoleonic era and left a profound impact on the course of French and European history.