French ship Lune (1641)

The Lune was a French warship launched in 1641. It was constructed during the reign of King Louis XIII and formed part of the French fleet assembled under Cardinal Richelieu's naval expansion program. The Lune participated in naval operations in the Mediterranean Sea during the mid-17th century.

Details about the Lune's specific dimensions, armament, and battle record are scarce and often vary across historical sources. However, period ships like the Lune typically carried a complement of cannons and were involved in actions against pirates and rival naval powers, notably Spain.

The Lune ultimately foundered and sank off the coast of Toulon, France, in 1664. It was carrying soldiers being transferred to help fight pirates when it struck a rock near the island of Porquerolles during a storm. Hundreds of people perished in the disaster. The wreck of the Lune was discovered in 1993 by a team led by archeologist Michel L'Hour. The wreck is located at a considerable depth, making archaeological investigation complex and expensive. The recovery of artifacts from the Lune provides valuable insights into 17th-century shipbuilding techniques, naval warfare, and maritime life.

While information on the Lune itself is limited compared to some more famous ships of the era, its sinking and subsequent rediscovery make it a significant wreck site contributing to our understanding of French naval history.