Grande Hermine

The Grande Hermine was an early modern explorers ship that sailed under the French flag.

Construction

The Grande Hermine was a so-called "round" caravel. At the front ship was a fort that hung over the bow. The fore and main mast resulted only in a square sail, while the mizzen mast was equipped with a lateen sail. From an armament is expected in an explorer ship - but details on this are currently unknown.

History

The French navigator Jacques Cartier denied with its flagship Grande Hermine several explorers traveling towards North American continent.

His first trip led him in 1534 to what is now Canada, where he founded in 1541 finally New France ( " Nouvelle France " ), the first French colony.

His second trip took him to Saint Lawrence River, which he sailed together with the caravels Ermillon and Petite Hermine and explored.

A third trip to have been crowned with no success.