The Astrolabe - 1811

The Astrolabe was built in 1811 and began service as a horse barge named "La Coquille". This celebrated small ship circumnavigated the globe 3 times, each voyage lasting 3 years, and always with the famous Dumont D'Urville on board. Converted into a corvette and still named "La Coquille" she made a first scientific voyage under the command of Duperrey from 1822 to 1825. This ship rode out terrifying storms and ran aground 6 times but somehow managed to avoid sinking.