Cartier (1787 ship)
Cartier was a brig launched in 1787 for the Bengal Pilot Service as a pilot ship operating at Balasore Roads. The French privateer Robert Surcouf captured her, and then used her to capture the East Indiaman "Triton" on 29 January 1796. The British Royal Navy subsequently recaptured her. Career. The brig "Cartier" operated in Balasore roads, in the Indian Ocean. On 21 January 1796 the French privateer corvette "Émilie", captained by Robert Surcouf, captured her. Surcouf had the four 6-pounder guns of "Émilie" mounted on "Cartier", renamed her "Hasard", (or "Hazard"), and transferred aboard with 23  men. Two days later, "Hasard" encountered the East Indiaman "Triton", with a 150-man crew and 26 guns; despite the overwhelming superiority of "Triton", after haranguing his men, Surcouf approached under a British flag, before hoisting French colours at the very last moment and launching a violent assault. In the ensuing 45-minute battle, "Triton" suffered 5 wounded and 10 killed, including her captain, Captain Burnycat (or Burnyeat), and the first officer, Picket; The prisoners were transferred to "Diana", which Surcouf released against a 30,000 rupee ransom. Transferring to his new prize, Surcouf left ten men on "Hasard" as a  prize crew and returned to Île de France (now Mauritius), on "Triton". During the journey back, in the month of February 1796, "Hasard" encountered the 74-gun , which recaptured her. Notes, citations, and references. Notes Citations References