Surcouf

Robert Surcouf (1773-1827) is an emblematic figure of the pirates' era, the sailors whose royal power was used during the war against the British Empire in the eighteenth century, in order to undermine their businesses and maritime communications.

Hardened very early to the things of the sea and embarked at the age of 13 years as a cabin boy, he became captain-merchant at the age of twenty.

From 1795, he began the race against English merchant ships and foaming waters of the Indian Ocean. There he acquired a reputation as a fearsome pirate, making exceptional catches. The Triton and Kent come under attacks, causing heavy casualties among the British who put a price on his head. Despite the number of English cruisers vested in his capture, he managed to return to Saint-Malo in 1802, at the head of a war treasure estimated at 2 million.

The breach of the peace of Amiens with the British Empire triggers another race in 1807 and it will bring other accumulated catches, once again, in the Indian seas, where British ships are numerous.

He joins Saint-Malo in 1809 and now began to arm for racing in European waters. After distinguishing himself as head of a legion in the Hundred Days, he became a baron of the Empire and then ranks the things of the war. Returning to the maritime trade after 1815, he became one of the richest owners in Saint-Malo.

He ended his days in his hometown in 1827.