The navy of Cochin China or nowadays Vietnam as described by the American Lieutenant John White in June 1819

In his book John White described his voyage towards Cochin what nowadays is Vietnam, but in his period an empire. In 1787 requested prince Nguyen Anh the French king Louis XVI for help to recover the imperial throne for his dynasty. The French king agreed to assist not knowing that his own position was threatened. Due to the French Revolution he lost his throne and in 1792 his head. Prince Nguyen was heavily supported by Pierre Joseph Georges Pigneau de Béhaine(1), bishop of Adran and French ambassador extra ordinary (1741-1799). When both sailed towards Cochin India the joined a squadron lying off Mauritius on which 4000-5000 soldiers were to be embarked. Mainly due to the outbreak of the French Revolution the whole operation was cancelled. Pigneau left with the prince and several French officers as Jean-Marie Dayot and Jean-Baptiste Chaigneau in a merchant ship Mauritius for St. James.(2) According to an article on www.en.wikepedia.org dealing with Pigneau, he managed to raise enough money from French merchants to fit out two frigates, among which was the Méduse and two transports, the Phung and the Long to transport ammunition and arms. Pigenau finally arrived at Vietnam 24 July 1789. Three years later the navy of Cochin India consisted of two European warships and another 15 frigates of ‘composite design’. Ang ascended the the throne as emperor Gia Long 31 May 1802. In the meantime Pigneau reformed the navy and army of the empire. White wrote (p. 93) “Naval arsenals were established, and a large navy, principally consisting of gun-boats, galleys, &c. was built and equipped”.

Whites’ description of Saigon during his visit to Cochin China is the most useful.

p. 234: “In the north-eastern part of the city, on the banks of a deep creek, is the navy yard and naval arsenal, where in the time of the rebellion, some large war-junks were built; and two frigates of European construction, under the superintendence

p.235: of French officers. This establishment does more honour to the Onamese than any other object in their country; indeed it may view many of the naval establishments in Europe. There were nor large vessels built, or building; but there were ample materials of the most excellent kind, for several frigates. The ship-timber, and planks excelled any thing I had ever seen. I measured one plank, whose dimensions were one hundred and nine feet long, more than four inches thick, and perfectly square to the top, where it was two feet wide. It was sawed out of a trunk of a teak tree, and I believe there is no part of the world where the gigantic sires of the forest arrived as such magnitude as in Cochin China. I have seen in the country a tree that would make a natural main-mast for a line of battle ship, clear of knots; and this, I learnt, is not unusual. There were about one hundred and fifty gallies, of most beautiful construction, hauled up under sheds; they were from forty to one hundred feet long, some of them mounting sixteen guns of three pounds calibre. Others mounted four of six guns each, of from four to twelve pounds calibre, all of brass, and most beautiful pieces. There were besides these about forty other gallies afloat, preparing for an excursion that the viceroy was to make up the river on his return from Huè. Most of these were decorated with gildings and carved work, “pennons and steamers gay,” and presented a very animated and pleasing spectacle”.

Sources
J. White. A voyage to Cochin China. London, 1824, p. 90-91, 93, 234-235.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigneau_de_Behaine

Notes
1. See for more details dealing with the person Pigneau the publication written by Mantienne, Frédéric (1999). Monseigneur Pigneau de Béhaine.
2. See for more details dealing with this French naval officers the websites http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Marie_Dayot en http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Baptiste_Chaigneau.