Static boat the runner

The lugger was a type of boat used by French corsairs during the Revolution and the Empire.

Rigged as a topsail schooner, heavily sailed, the lugger was adopted by French corsairs for its maneuverability, especially during the revolutionary and imperial era. It had three masts, including a jigger mast, a very elongated bowsprit, several jibs, topsails, and a few topgallants.

The Coureur, built in Dunkirk in 1776, had a very brief career as it was captured by the English on June 17, 1778, during the battle fought by the French frigate La Belle Poule against the English frigate HMS Arethusa.

The Coureur was forced to lower its flag after suffering heavy losses in its crew and such damages that it could no longer steer. Its commander, Chevalier de Rosily, was taken prisoner and released in February 1780.

He received the Cross of Saint Louis for his brilliant contribution to the success of his division leader.

The Coureur, after two hours of battle and a vain attempt to board, was hit by about ten shots at the waterline, with 3 men killed and 7 mortally wounded, it surrendered.

The fate of the Coureur, after being captured by the English, is not well known. Was it retaken by the French in 1782 as some authors claim? Was it captured by the Americans of Newfoundland in 1780?