Phaeton (carriage) Phaeton (carriage) A phaeton (also phaéton) was a form of sporty open carriage popular in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Drawn by one or two horses, a phaeton typically featured a minimal very lightly sprung body atop four extravagantly large wheels. With open seating, it was both fast and dangerous, giving rise to its name, drawn from the mythical Phaëton, son of Helios, who nearly set the earth on fire while attempting to drive the chariot of the sun. With the advent of the automobile, the term was adapted to open touring cars, also known as phaetons. The
French brig Phaeton (1804) French brig Phaeton (1804) The French brig "Phaeton" was a "Palinure"-class brig launched in 1804. The British captured her in 1806 and renamed her HMS "Mignonne". In 1807 they renamed her HMS "Musette". She was sold in 1814. "Phaéton" was stationed at Hellevoetsluis under the command of "lieutenant de vaisseau" Saulces de Freycinet. Between 7 September and 16 October 1805, she conducted a patrol in the North Sea. Shortly thereafter the French Navy dispatched her to the Antilles on a mission. On 25 March 1806, off Puerto Rico, "Phaéton" and her sister-ship "Voltigeur" encountered . Both sides exchanged fire for