Le Brethon was of the French Navy. She served in the Far East, notably during the French campaign against Korea of 1866.
Started as Aigrette upon plans by engineer Verny, using a steam engine cannibalised from the , the ship was renamed Le Brethon on 25 September 1863, after Lieutenant Albert ÃÂdouard Le Brethon de Caligny. Le Brethon was commissioned in Shanghai on 9 November 1864 and appointed to the Cochinchina Division. Decommissioned on 1 June 1865, she was reactivated on 1 March 1866 and took part in the French campaign against Korea under Huché de Cintré.