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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
