Pélican was a French warship from the late 17th century. Built in Bayonne, France, the original Pélican was launched in 1693. A 500 ton ship equipped with 44 guns and commanded by Captain Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville, she ran aground on the shores of Hudson Bay a few days after an heroic battle, badly damaged by the encounter and a fierce storm. The Pélican's life was short but glorious. She set sail from France on 8 April 1697 and ran aground on the shores of Hudson Bay on 8 September of the same year. However, in five short months of service, her place in history was assured as the victor in the greatest naval battle in the history of New France.