A construction site rooted in the heritage of the North
At the foot of the ramparts of the Vauban city of Gravelines is a strange construction site. A wooden cathedral is taking shape in spite of the turpitudes of the local climate. Since 2002, a team of die-hard northerners has been working on the crazy project of rebuilding a 17th century warship in an identical manner. At the head of this incredible project is Christian Cardin, a retired hydrogeological engineer. The idea came to him following the discovery of 6 wrecks of ships sunk off the Cotentin coast during the Battle of La Hougue.
The largest construction site for a wooden warship
The project was titanic, since the Jean Bart was nearly 57 meters long, with a displacement of nearly 3,000 tons in running order. At the time, its crew consisted of 700 sailors spread over three decks and its armament consisted of nearly 84 cannons. Her cousin the Hermione, a frigate rebuilt in Rochefort and launched in 2012, will seem quite frail with its 44 meters and its 1250 tons.
But unlike the frigate rebuilt in Rochefort, there are no period drawings of the Jean Bart. We had to imagine everything and relearn a know-how that had disappeared. The team is made up of both retired volunteers and newly graduated shipwrights. The two generations come together in this heritage project, which is an incredible basis for work for carpenters and blacksmiths.
"3600 trees from breeding forests are needed for the construction. We are working on oak, which has been used for thousands of years for its resistance to water in particular. "
An authentic ship
Anxious to rebuild the ship identically, the Jean Bart will not be able to sail by itself. Regulations have evolved since the 17th century, and it would be necessary today to meet standards that are incompatible with the spirit of the project. The addition of watertight bulkheads and a motorization would be essential for the Jean Bart to be able to sail and accommodate a crew.
"We don't sacrifice authenticity for modernity, especially since we attach great importance to the transmission of know-how," says Christian Cardin.
The boat will remain afloat in its original basin in Gravelines, but can be moved in trailer on large gatherings of traditional ships.
A construction site that opens its doors to the public
Initially self-financed, the construction site has recently received subsidies from the urban community of Dunkirk, but also from the region. Thanks to this support, Christian Cardin is able to project a launch in 9 to 10 years.
"Our team is composed of 5 carpenters, where 600 workers were at work in the XVII. So obviously, the deadlines are not the same. But it's not a race against time. "adds Christian Cardin
In the meantime, you can go to Gravelines to visit the construction site and discover the work of the team. 10,000 visitors flock each year to see the giant, and the interest is growing.
"Our goal is not only to rebuild the Jean Bart, but to recreate an artisanal village around the project. We've built a workshop, a blacksmith shop, a tavern, and even a sausage factory fueled by leftover chips from the yard. When the Jean Bart is finished, we will embark on other period ship projects to bring back the local maritime heritage. "
