The Commander Garreau

Story of a 129 year old rescue boat.

Carte postale du Commandant GarreauMusée de la Pêche

Technical characteristics

The sail and oar righting lifeboat was ordered from Chantiers Augustin Normand in Le Havre in 1894. Made of wood, it measures 10.10 meters in length, 2.27 meters in width and weighs 3.6 tonnes equipped, with an empty weight of 2.76 tons.

Baptême du Commandant GarreauMusée de la Pêche

63 years of service, 91 of navigation

Financed by Commander Garreau himself, then baptized in 1895, the rescue boat was used by the Société Centrale de Sauvetage des Naufragés. After years of sea rescue, it was repurchased in 1957 and renamed "Grand-Thing", and continued to sail until her donation to the Museum in 1985.

Grandcamp-Les-Bains - Les régates - Une arrivée.Musée de la Pêche

Commander Garreau in regattas, Grandcamp-les-Bains, 1924

This shot was taken near the slipway of the rescue boat. At the time, the annual regattas were held with 3 sailing races, 2 rowing races and several swimming exercises.

Commandant GarreauMusée de la Pêche

A new life for the rescue boat

After years of sea rescue, it was bought in 1957 by the Center Nautique des Glénans and renamed "Grand-Thing".

Voilier Grand-choseMusée de la Pêche

The Big Thing sailboat

The renowned canoe is used for student learning. Its structure is also modified, the front and rear domes being removed and replaced by a flat bridge.

Entrée au Musée de la PêcheMusée de la Pêche

 Restoration by Querrien shipyards

Offered by the Center Nautique des Glénan in 1985, the museum wishes to restore it to its original state. The Querrien shipyard will thus carry out the restoration following the instructions of Dr Jean Pillet, by redoing the front and rear domes.

Plan du Commandant Garreau au Musée de la PêcheMusée de la Pêche

Commander Garreau in the Fishing Museum

Plan made around 1985 by Hervé Gloux.

Restauration du Commandant GarreauMusée de la Pêche

Participatory worksite in 2023

In 2023, the museum launched a safeguard operation consisting of sheltering it from bad weather and restoring it. The rescue boat regains its former glory, thanks to the mastery of the Charpentiers de Cornouaille!

Chantier du canot Commandant GarreauMusée de la Pêche

A participatory project

The Notre-Dame de Concarneau school produced a podcast on the rescue boat, accompanied by Breton songs. In addition, the Lycée Guéguin produced sampling surveys, and many volunteers came to help the carpenters during stripping / sanding workshops.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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