Vessel known as "The Drunken Boat" now up for purchase
The Drunken Boat ("Bateau ivre"), a historical artifact with ties to World War II and a unique presence in L'Isle-aux-Grues, Quebec, has recently surfaced on Facebook Marketplace for sale.
A Brief History of the Drunken Boat
Originally built for civilian use, the Drunken Boat played a supporting role during the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944. After the war, it was brought to L'Isle-aux-Grues, where it became a symbol of the island's maritime heritage.
The Drunken Boat on Facebook Marketplace
The recent listing of the Drunken Boat on Facebook Marketplace has sparked discussions about the balance between heritage preservation and private ownership. The sale reflects the challenges faced by small communities in maintaining historical artifacts, where funding and interest may wane.
The Current State of the Drunken Boat and Future Plans
The mayor of Saint-Antoine-de-l'Isle-aux-Grues, Fredéric Poulin, has expressed concerns about the Drunken Boat due to an expropriation procedure targeting Nicolas Marcoux. The boat is not the focus of the municipality's environmental standards efforts, and the potential acquisition is not on the mayor's agenda.
While the Drunken Boat is not currently the centre of attention, the mayor is more focused on a project to convert the island's church, which has just been deconsecrated. The municipality is cautious about the Drunken Boat and is not planning to throw itself into everything.
For more detailed information about the Drunken Boat, including its exact model, wartime missions, and current ownership, local historical societies or maritime museums in Quebec, especially around L'Isle-aux-Grues, are recommended.
