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
HMS Phaeton (1782) awarded the survivors to that date of all the vessels at the battle, including "Phaeton", the Naval General Service Medal with clasp "1 June 1794". In September, "Phaeton" came under the command of Captain Stopford. In May 1795 "Phaeton" escorted Princess Caroline of Brunswick to England. Then began what would become a spectacular string of prize-taking. During Stopford's service in the Channel, "Phaeton" captured some 13 privateers and three vessels of war, and also recovered numerous vessels that the French had taken. On 10 March 1796, "Phaeton" engaged and captured the French corvette "Bonne Citoyenne" off Cape Finisterre. She was