 Opened in 1793 at the location of the current Lawton-Collins Wharf, the arsenal was moved in 1803 on a decision by Napoleon, within the project of the military port.Sailing ships were built, the first, the brig "La Colombe", was launched on 27 September 1797, and then screw-propelled vessels up to the end of the 19th century.From 1898, the Arsenal specialised in the .