French ship Saint-Rémi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 France |
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| Name | Saint-Rémi |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 400 tons |
The Saint-Rémi was a sailing ship from France. It weighed about 400 tons. This ship is famous for carrying a large group of Acadians to New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1785. This journey was a big part of Acadian history.
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The Ship Saint-Rémi
The Saint-Rémi was a medium-sized ship for its time. It was built to carry cargo or passengers across the ocean. Its weight, 400 tons, tells us about its size and how much it could hold. Ships like the Saint-Rémi were vital for travel and trade in the 1700s.
A Long Journey Across the Ocean
The Saint-Rémi began its important voyage on June 27, 1785. It sailed from Nantes, a city in France. Captain Baudin was in charge of the ship. The journey was long and challenging. It took over two months to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The ship finally arrived in New Orleans on September 10, 1785.
Who Were the Acadians?
The main passengers on the Saint-Rémi were 325 Acadians. Acadians were French-speaking people who lived in a region called Acadia. This area is now part of Canada (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick). In the mid-1700s, many Acadians were forced to leave their homes. This event is known as the "Great Upheaval." They were sent to different places, including France. From France, some chose to move to Louisiana. They hoped to find a new home there. Louisiana was a French-speaking territory at the time.
More Passengers on Board
Besides the Acadians, there were also 16 stowaways on the ship. Stowaways are people who hide on a ship to travel without paying. Life on board a ship like the Saint-Rémi was difficult. The journey was long, and conditions were crowded. Sadly, 15 passengers died during the trip. This shows how hard ocean travel could be back then.
Arriving in New Orleans
When the Saint-Rémi reached New Orleans, it marked a new beginning for the Acadians. They settled in Louisiana and became known as "Cajuns." Their culture, music, and food are still a big part of Louisiana today. The arrival of ships like the Saint-Rémi helped shape the history of the region.
