Tragedy on the Raft of Medusa

The Méduse was a French frigate that had been launched in 1810 and was initially used for raids on British positions. However, after the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, the French monarchy was restored, and Captain Hugues, lacking recent sailing experience, was appointed to command Méduse. Its final ill-fated journey to Senegal commenced in 1816, leading to the ship's grounding due to a navigation mistake.

Efforts to free the ship failed, prompting the decision to abandon it. Subsequently, a raft, known as "la Machine" or "The Raft of Medusa," was constructed to transport survivors to the coast. The raft, initially towed by boats, was later left adrift in the ocean.

The 147 survivors faced harsh conditions, including storms, starvation, and hallucinations, which led to internal conflicts, violence, and a struggle for survival. Some resorted to cannibalism in a desperate attempt to survive. Ultimately, rescue came when the ship Argus, part of the original convoy, spotted the survivors and brought them to Saint Louis. Captain Hugues faced legal consequences for incompetence and complacent navigation, receiving a three-year jail sentence.

Théodore Géricault's painting, "The Raft of Medusa," serves as a powerful and vivid depiction of the horrific events endured by the survivors. The incident sparked public outrage, leading to legal reforms in the French military to prevent similar occurrences.