144 Year Old Converted Sailboat!

The "PETIT CAPORAL"

Built in 1854, the "PETIT CAPORAL", named after Corporal Napolean Bonaparte, first operated by sails. Used for commercial fishing, Leon Theriot, Sr. of Golden Meadow, purchased the "Coporal" in 1899. He made it the first motorized vessel of the area by installing a 3 HP tractor motor in 1902. His eight sons, Henry, Davis, Victor, Paris, Fedalise, Leopold, Leon Jr. and Leo worked the "Caporal". Being the oldest vessel on record, he requested the "Caporal" be permanently displayed as a landmark, representing the early history of Golden Meadow and Louisiana.

This beautiful vessel is located on the Bayou LaFourche side of LA 1 in the center of Golden Meadow, Louisiana.

I took this photo of the beautiful hull design of this vessel before the present public display was completly built around her.

This photo was taken before the display also, this propeller / rudder conversion was installed 48 years after her initial launch.

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