ABSTRACT

He entered the navy in 1743 (like many others, through the Order of the Knights of Malta); 1756, lieutenant de vaisseau; 1772, capitaine de vaisseau; 1782, chef d’escadre; 1784, vice-amiral.

He had his baptism of fire at the battle of Toulon (1744), and had the misfortune to be made prisoner when his ship, the Monarque, 74, was taken at the second battle of Finisterre (1747). He was present when John BYNG’S squadron was repulsed by LA GALISSONNIÈRE off Minorca in 1756. In 1759 he suffered capture again, when the Océan, 80, flagship of Commodore de la Clue, was burned at Lagos.