French ship Pélican (1693)

Pélican was a French warship from the late 17th century. Built in Bayonne, France, the original Pélican was launched in 1693. A 500 ton ship equipped with 44 guns and commanded by Captain Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville, she ran aground on the shores of Hudson Bay a few days after an heroic battle, badly damaged by the encounter and a fierce storm. The Pélican's life was short but glorious. She set sail from France on 8 April 1697 and ran aground on the shores of Hudson Bay on 8 September of the same year. However, in five short months of service, her place in history was assured as the victor in the greatest naval battle in the history of New France.

On learning that the British were planning to keep control of Hudson Bay, Louis XIV, King of France, assembled a fleet of warships, consisting of the Pélican, the Palmier, the Wesp, and the Profond, in order to recapture Fort Bourbon as the French called York Factory, Manitoba, the heart of the fur trade.

On the morning of 5 September 1697, the Pélican, temporarily separated from her sister ships, came face to face with three British ships – the Hampshire, the Dering, and the Hudson Bay – which were carrying supplies to the nearby fort. Although they were outnumbered, the crew of the Pélican engaged in battle, and triumphed, thereby earning their place in history. The Pélican, however, was also fatally damaged in the battle. Holed below the waterline, the Pélican had to be abandoned.

The Pélican's victory, later known as Battle of Hudson's Bay, was certainly due in large part to the leadership of Captain Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville. In addition to setting an example of courage and valour for his men, he fought a remarkable strategic battle with the result that the Hampshire sank, the Dering retreated, and the Hudson Bay was captured complete with cargo.

Le Pélican (1992)
A full-size authentic replica of Pélican was built at La Malbaie in Quebec. Construction began in 1987, but the project was beset with problems. She was completed in 1992. The ship, known as Le Pélican, was moved to Donaldsonville, Louisiana on the Mississippi River where it became the property of the Fort Butler (Donaldsonville, Louisiana) Foundation, but is currently grounded in poor condition and awaiting sale to a new owner. On 19 January 2008, a barge towboat struck Pélican. Fuel leaking from the towboat caused the river to be closed to boat traffic.