The three voyages of Black Eagle: Piracy, transnationality and the first French East India Company’s flagship

This article explores the story of the French East India Company’s first flagship, originally a Dutch-built privateer vessel, from its inception in the 1660s through three significant voyages. Through an analysis of travel accounts, archival documents and secondary literature, the study explores how the ship’s transformation into a symbol of French ambition reflects the broader struggles of France’s imperial ventures under Louis XIV. Initially named Black Eagle and infamous for piracy, the vessel was repurposed as Saint-Paul and served in the nascent French East India Company. Its voyages highlight challenges such as disease, lack of maritime expertise and strained resources, which hindered the Company. By examining the ship’s role, this article sheds light on the transnational networks, political rivalries and economic aspirations that shaped France’s entry into the Indian Ocean trade. The study highlights the relationship between a ship’s tumultuous history and the French East India Company’s strategic ambitions and transnational entanglements.