Built as seaplane tender for the French Navy, and built by the Peuhoet Saint Nazaire Shipyard at St Nazare, France.
Initially planned for completion as a seaplane tender, assigned name MERKUR.
28 November 1940 launched under the name SANS PEUR.
She was captured by the Germans when she was completed for about 42%.
April 1942 the plans were changed she was named JUPITER and converted in a gunboat.
Tonnage 1,372 tons standard, 1,760 tons full load. Dim. 96 x 11.76 x 3.20m.
Two Sulzer diesels 4,200 shp, twin shafts, speed 18 knots.
02 September 1942 commissioned as a gunboat under the name JUPITER SG4.
22 August 1944 decommissioned, partly disarmed in May 1945.
After the war rebuilt in a survey-patrol ship La PEROUSE named for the famous French discoverer Jean Francais de Galoup de Laperouse (1741 1788).
Armament 2 – 105mm, 4 – 40mm and 4 – 20mm guns.
23 April 1947 commissioned.
In 1949, the French government decided to reaffirm France sovereignty all over the French South Island Territories. A mission of 14 persons transported by "LA PEROUSE" was dispatched to La Possession Island, Crozet Archipelego, and arrived at Kerguelen on Dec. 11. A base was established at Port aux Francois with radio and weather station. "LA PEROUSE" sailed back on 16 Jan. 1950.
1956 During Operation Mousquestare (Musketeer) on the Suez Canal used as patrol vessel.
She was stricken out of service in 1966 at Brest, and hulked.
Survived at least through 1984, eventually sunk as a target, date unknown.
French Southern and Antarctic Territories 2002 2.44 Euro sg?, scott? 2018 3.90 Euro sgMS?, scott?
Source: C. Gaden; Gracie, Delepine Les Iles Australes Francaises; J. Labayle Couhat, French Warships of World War Two.