And I'm wondering if it isn't the deformation of a common metaphor -- "the boat of the Revolution" -- or something. They could have used it often, or in different contexts.
The only authentic boat-related comment I can recall is Cambon's "nous avons abordé dans l'île de la Liberté et nous avons brûlé les vaisseaux qui nous ont y conduits." But, of course, I wasn't looking boat-related comments, so it's quite possible I've missed some.