Le Hussard was a famous French warship which set a new standard for small, fast ships in the days of fighting sail. Built in 1815, she possessed two rotating cannons and removable port and starboard gunwales. These allowed her to engage enemy vessels without having to maneuver for position.
Le Hussard was, in reality, a prototype of later generations of warships which mounted guns in rotating turrets. She exemplified the hit and run tactics pioneered by the French navy which successfully countered the British naval doctrine of rigid line astern formations firing broadsides while passing alongside an enemy line of ships.
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