An item referred to the magazine Le Yacht dated February 1896 reporting that the French navy was to sell on short notice several aged ships. Although the financial profits of the sale were expected to be small was the main profit that while they were no longer suitable for military purposes there were no longer maintenance costs. These vessels included the Ablette, Arrogante, Nouledogue, Canard, Céres, Jena , Dorado, Finistère, Néreïde, Entreprenante , Panama
