What are picquets?

[diddyriddick]

I'm currently reading Rising Sun and Tumbling Bear: Russia's War with Japan by Richard Connaughton. In referring to naval engagements during the Russo-Japanese war, he refers to smaller ships as "picquets." Am I safe in assuming this is just a variation of "picketts" that I have seen all along?

[davep]

i would say yes, unless anyone knows different its just the author has decided to use the french spelling

[Francis Stanley]

The job of Picket ship does not improve if you use the French version of the spelling............It won't get better if you Piquet.