Cygne was an 16-gun brig of the French Navy, launched in 1806.
On 10 November 1808, under Lieutenant Menouvrier Defresne, Cygne departed Cherbourg, part of a squadron under Rear-Admiral Hamelin also comprising the frigates,, and the brig . bound for Martinique.[1] The next day, the ships of the squadron were scattered. On 13, Cygne captured the Portuguese ship Miliciano and set her ablaze.
Arriving near [artinique, ''Cygne'' was chased by the frigate {{HMS|Circe|1804|6}} (Augustin Collier), the corvette {{HMS|Stork|1796|2}} (George Le Geyt), the brigs {{HMS|Morne Fortunee|1808|2}} (John Brown), {{HMS|Amaranthe|1804|2}} ([[Edward Pelham Brenton|Pelham Brenton]]), (Thomas Tudor) and the schooner (William Dowers).[2] On 12 December, Cygne passed the northern cape of Martinique; seeing that he would be overhauled by the British squadron before reaching Saint-Pierre, Menouvrier Defresne decided to drop anchor under a shore battery at Anse Céron.[3]
Two of the British brigs then dropped anchor in positions that cut Cygnes retreat to Saint-Pierre, while the other ships launched boats to attempt a cutting out boarding.[4] Cygne sank three before they reached her. Circe approached with her crew ready for boarding, but was repelled by a grapeshot broadside, while the surviving boats reached Cygnes stern; the party was repelled and 17 men were taken prisoner.
The next day, Cygne found herself becalmed; Defresne attempted to move his ship by having her hauled from the shore by infantrymen and by using her oars, and progressed towards Saint-Pierre, under fire from Amaranthe. However, due to a navigation error, Cygne ran aground and started taking water. As the other British ships closed within range, Defresne ordered Cygne abandoned and scuttled by fire.[5] Defresne was offered a sword of honour by the city of Saint-Pierre for his defence. As a token of esteem, Brenton gifted him a sword belt, and Lieutenant Hay, a dagger.
The wreck was discovered in 1991 and was explored the next year.[6] [7] A scale model of the ship is on display at the Musée national de la Marine in Paris.[8]
. Onésime-Joachim Troude. 1867. Challamel ainé. Batailles navales de la France. French. 3.