Foulpointe (Mahavelona)
The Prince de Conti was at Foulpointe on 17 July 1754. Here, a twelve-year-old cabin boy named Joséph Tréguier (n° 130), who had stayed behind at Lorient, joined up with the Prince de Conti. According to the Duc d'Orléans rôle Tréguier embarked furtively on the ship the same day the Prince de Conti left Lorient (9 March) and it confirms that he transferred onto the Prince de Conti on 17 July.
From Foulpointe, the Prince de Conti set its sights on India. In the months of June, July and August, the Indian Ocean experiences a monsoon season, with heavy rain and southwesterly winds. Historically, this has been a time to avoid sailing, but technological advances in the Age of Exploration meant the Prince de Conti could weather the harsh conditions and make use of the south-westerlies. They made the trek from Madagascar to Pondichéry in 47 days.
