When a box of cigars shaped the blockade of Brest

In August 1800 the town of Brest was placed under blockade. The lecture given by Jean-Yves Besselièvre at the Musée de la Marine on 1 February was an opportunity to look again at the link between that event and cigars. Here is the story.

A little-known historical episode

Shortly after the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte came to power. Relations between France and England were fairly tense at the time. The new French Republic was giving ideas of rebellion to a number of neighbouring countries, and Ireland was no exception. To contain the French momentum, the English fleet therefore devised a highly refined naval strategy.

Unable to come very close to the French coast, the English navy positioned its ships in such a way that no French vessel could leave its own waters. This was the famous English blockade. The situation left the French in difficulty, as they could no longer supply their forces, particularly on the military side, where ordnance was in short supply.

The truce and the famous box of cigars

On 12 August 1800 the truce was announced. For the occasion, the English captain William Cathcart, commander of the Triton, went aboard the frigate Furieuse, a French ship commanded by Jean-Nicolas Topsent.

After a few formalities, the commanders of the two forces exchanged a few words over refreshments. The Frenchman remained very discreet about the position of the ships, but did not hesitate to ask for information about English artillery strength.

Late in the evening, Topsent received a message from another French commander, La Touche. It stated that he had indeed received the box of cigars sent to him, but that he would not tolerate a flag of truce being sent to an officer under his command, failing which he would seize the ship.

Having witnessed the delivery of the note, Commander Cathcart mentioned the detail in his report. That is how a simple box of cigars and the whole world of the cigar brought about an important strategic turn during the blockade of Brest.