“Who was Surcouf?” someone asks looking around. Avenue Surcouf stands as a tribute to a remarkable French privateer. Let’s uncover the story behind this Parisian avenue.
Avenue Surcouf owes its name to Robert Surcouf. He was a famed French corsair. Surcouf was born in 1773 and died in 1827. He became a national hero. But the British considered him a pirate.
During the Napoleonic era, Surcouf waged economic warfare against England. He commanded ships like the Creole and the Confiance. With the Confiance he captured the British ship Kent. The Kent had 38 guns and a large crew. This feat made Surcouf a legend in France. England placed a reward of five million francs for his capture.
Napoleon named Surcouf a baron of the empire in 1809. After his adventurous life, Surcouf became a ship owner and merchant. He prospered on the island of Mauritius.
However, there’s more to the name Surcouf than just the man. The French Navy named a submarine after him. The Surcouf submarine was the largest in the world when built. It was intended to act like a modern-day corsair.
Launched in 1929 and commissioned in 1934, the Surcouf submarine had problems. It was difficult to keep trimmed underwater. It took more than two minutes to dive to forty feet. This made it vulnerable to air attack. The submarine rolled badly in rough seas which made its main guns almost useless.
The submarine boasted two eight-inch guns. They sat in a twin turret forward of the conning tower. Aft of the structure was a watertight hangar. It held a scout seaplane. The seaplane helped locate targets and spot where the submarine guns landed.
In June 1940, France fell to Nazi Germany. The Surcouf sailed to Plymouth in England. Later, the British tried to seize the Surcouf. This led to an armed confrontation. Three British Marines and one French sailor died.
After Operation Catapult, the Free French forces took control. Commander Georges Louis Blaison became the new captain. The crew had little experience in submarine operations.
The Surcouf sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1941. It was meant to escort Atlantic convoys. It proved unsuited for this role. There were claims it took up wrong positions. Some said it was a hazard to the convoys.
In May 1941, the Surcouf was sent to Bermuda. One patrol was a disaster. Electrical problems plagued the ship. Chlorine gas leaked into the crew quarters. Twice it almost lost control while diving. It needed an overhaul.
While headed to Tahiti, Surcouf disappeared in February 1942. It may have collided with the U.S. freighter Thompson Lykes. The collision caused an explosion. No survivors were found.
Some believe the Surcouf was sunk by the British or Americans. Others say a German U-boat sank it. Another theory claims it defected to Martinique. The truth remains a mystery.
A memorial in Cherbourg honors the 130 men lost with the Surcouf. Benjamin Britten dedicated his “War Requiem” to Roger Burney. Burney was a British Naval Liaison Officer on the Surcouf.
Avenue Surcouf reminds us of Robert Surcouf’s daring spirit. It also echoes the mysterious tale of the ill-fated submarine that bore his name. It’s a legacy of courage and enigma.