Henry Bauchet
Henry Bauchet | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1879 Frevent, Pas-de-Calais, France |
| Died | 1970 Lyon, France |
| Occupation(s) | Engineer, Innovator, Automobile manufacturer |
| Known for | Early automobile "La Sirène" |
Henry Bauchet (1879–1970), a French engineer and innovator, was born in Frevent, Pas-de-Calais. Between 1899 and 1907, he created and manufactured one of the earliest contemporary automobiles known as "La Sirène." An alumnus of the School of Arts and Crafts located in Châlons-en-Champagne, Bauchet was among the pioneering French individuals to obtain a driving licence. He passed away in Lyon in 1970. A street in Rethel is named in his honour.
The Bauchet automobile
In 1899, Henry Bauchet, together with Charles Schmidt, developed La Sirène in Rethel, Ardennes. This vehicle represented a significant departure from traditional carriage-style cars. It was equipped with a front-mounted engine covered by a hood, a steering wheel, four metal wheels fitted with Michelin tires, a twin-cylinder engine producing 5/8 cv, a four-speed gearbox, and shaft drive. The car featured a four-seat tonneau body design.
La Sirène achieved notable success in early motor competitions, securing victory in the light car division at the 1901 Grand Prix of Pau and taking part in the 1901 Grand Prix Paris-Berlin.
SA des Moteurs Henri Bauchet
Following Schmidt’s departure to America in 1902 to join Packard due to financial difficulties, Bauchet obtained investment to continue production on his own. In 1903, the company introduced the Henry Bauchet model—a twin-cylinder 5/8 cv vehicle manufactured in Rethel and sold under the name L'Ardennais.
By 1904, operations moved into part of an old mill situated by the river. Between 1905 and 1907, the Moulin des Isles factory underwent electrification under the management of Société Anonyme des Usines à Gaz du Nord et de l'Est.
Before ceasing automobile production in 1907 due to increasing competition, approximately one hundred cars had been produced. Subsequently, the firm redirected its efforts toward manufacturing stationary engines for agricultural use and developed a tractor by 1909; during World War I, it launched its first tracked tractor.
During the First World War, the factory relocated to Sens to modify engines for boat propulsion on the River Yonne. Amidst World War II and the German occupation in 1940, Bauchet transferred its administrative offices to Lyon while continuing manufacturing activities at Rethel.
Tractor production concluded in the 1960s as the company diversified into broader engineering sectors. Ultimately, the factory closed permanently during the 1990s.
References
David Burgess Wise, The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Automobiles