In 1914, the Great War broke out. Pilots, who were ‘registered as unavailable seamen’, were no longer free to exercise their profession and were forced to abandon the open sea to work in the immediate vicinity of the port. The 36 cutters in the port were disarmed because they were unsuitable for working on the roadstead. The ‘every man for himself’ approach was abandoned, and the pilots now practised close pilotage, working on the basis of a list for exits and entries. Two steamers and a few cutters were requisitioned by the Admiralty for the pilots’ service. In 1916, the station’s pilot community acquired its first steamer, the Iliona. When the war ended, this new way of operating continued.
Following the general meeting on 17 November 1921, the white flag with a black anchor was replaced by a green flag with a white anchor.
On 1 June 1923, the Iliona was replaced by the steamer Hermann du Pasquier. In 1924, the steamer Quatre frères Biard was added to the fleet.
On 28 March 1928, the new law on maritime pilotage was adopted. It was the legal conclusion of the various reforms that had been progressively introduced in ports since the start of the First World War, and dealt in particular with compulsory pilotage and the recruitment of pilots. It harmonised the various regulations on salaries, equipment, etc. The first fruit of this new text for the people of Le Havre was the acquisition in January 1933 of the new ship Louis Brindeau to replace the old Hermann du Pasquier. In May 1936, the Havre de Grâce replaced the Quatre frères Biard.
In June 1937, the pilots gave up the boatage business.
On the eve of the Second World War, the station looked to the future with confidence: traffic was good, the workforce of 48 pilots corresponded to requirements and the recent boats were well adapted to the demands of the service. This favourable situation was disrupted by the war and the debacle of June 1940. The station’s economy was threatened, the workforce was reduced by 50% at the end of hostilities (due to death, illness, retirement, mobilisation), the equipment had all but disappeared (the Havre de Grâce and the Louis Brindeau, which had initially been requisitioned, left France and were found badly damaged at the end of the war), and the pilots’ salaries and pensions were no longer paid due to a lack of revenue until May 1941. Although subject to the Vichy government, the station avoided collaboration. In 1950, the station was awarded the Croix de Guerre 1939-1945.
The liberation of 1944 marked a new beginning. Despite difficult working conditions, the pilots put themselves at the disposal of the Allies and contributed to the rebirth of the port.
The Havre de Grâce I returned to service in 1947. It was quickly followed by the Louis Brindeau. However, the Havre de Grâce I was replaced in 1958 by the new ship Françoise de Grâce. She remained at the station until 1968, when she was replaced by the Havre de Grâce III. The Louis Brindeau was also withdrawn from service the same year.
In 1969, the decree of 19 May 1969 put an end to the old practice of the pilot of choice. This had been a bone of contention, as it was contrary to the collective spirit and general interest.
