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Le Saint Geran was commissioned by the French Company of the Indies. It was launched at the Orient on the 11th July 1736 and in the month of February of the year 1737, it sailed on its maiden voyage under the command of the Captain Laurent Audin Duplessis. It was destined for the East Indies, carrying cargo of textiles and metal ware to be bartered for spices. As was the case for all merchant vessels sailing down the coast of Africa and around the Cape of Good Hope into the Indian Ocean, it was heavily armed with a battery of 18 cannons as well as a company of soldiers to fight off pirate attacks. Although fast and easy to operate, it was no match for the numerous pirate ships that preyed on maritime commerce during this period.All went well, until the 17th August it was overtaken by a strong storm and wrecked off the North Coast of Mauritius Island, known at that time as Isle de France. Of its total complement of 149 officers and men, only nine were rescued by the heroic action of the islanders. The story of its disastrous end and the heroism of the rescuers formed the theme of an epic novel, Paul and Virginie, published twenty four years later by Bernandin de Saint-Pierre, the writer. Some pieces of the wreck over the years were collected and can be found at the naval museum of Mahebourg in South of Mauritius Island.
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