A French Galleon Sails Into Playa Vista

 A generous anonymous donation brings French maritime history to the branch: A scale model of a famous French galleon, Le Mirage, now graces the Playa Vista Branch Library facility.

17th century France saw a fierce rivalry between naval architects, artists and craftsmen as each tried to outdo the other in constructing the finest and most lavish ship. A fine example of these excesses is Le Mirage, built during the reign of Louis XIV in 1675. Le Mirage was a first rate flagship, armed with 84 guns, in service with the French Navy.
 
The library has many excellent references on naval history, among them:

• The age of the ship of the line: the British and French navies, 1650-1815 / Jonathan R. Dull
• Battle at sea : 3,000 years of naval warfare / R.G. Grant