Jean-Baptiste Henri Barré de Saint-Leu (French pronunciation: [ʒɑ̃ batist ɑ̃ʁi baʁe də sɛ̃ lø]; 28 January 1763, in Paris – 11 April 1830, in Paris[1]) was a French naval officer.
Career
In 1792, Barré de Saint-Leu, then a Lieutenant, served in Terre-Neuve station under Pierre César Charles de Sercey, commanding the aviso Impatient which ferried Pouget, an official of Saint Domingue, from Le Havre, and cruised off Saint-Pierre et Miquelon before returning to Rochefort and Nantes.[2] The next year, he commanded the corvette Perdrix.[3]
In September 1796, promoted to Commander, he captained the brig Pélagie.[4] In June 1797, he was appointed to the frigate Précieuse, in Brest.[5]
Barré commanded the frigate Alceste during the Expédition d'Égypte.[6][7] After the Battle of the Nile, he was sent to negotiate exchanges of prisoners with the British. He served with distinction in Egypt, and was awarded a sabre of honour for his conduct.[7]
He was promoted to Captain on 5 February 1799,[1] and appointed to Alceste in August. He transported military furniture from Alexandria to Jaffa, and ferried General Jean Reynier. Later, he was appointed to a squadron under Admiral Jean-Baptiste Perrée, which also comprised Junon, Courageuse, Salamine, and Alerte. In the action of 18 June 1799, Perrée's squadron met with a 30-ship fleet under Lord Keith and was captured. Alceste struck to HMS Bellona.[8] In December, Barré received command of Égyptienne in December, ferrying troops and ammunitions to Egypt[9] and conducting reconnaissance off Hyères.[10]
On 10 July 1801, Barré took over command of the French forces in San Domingo, replacing Latouche-Tréville who had returned to France, sick, and presided until their surrender, in consequence of the Blockade of Saint-Domingue.[11] In October 1802, he commanded the Surveillante.[12]
In 1812, he commanded the French forces of the Adriatic,[13] which fought at the Battle of Pirano, where his 74-gun Rivoli was captured after a fierce fight. Barré, who had sustained several wounds, was taken captive.[7]
Sources and references
Notes
References
- ^ a b Les capitaines de vaisseau
- ^ Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 33
- ^ Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 45
- ^ Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 184
- ^ Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 187
- ^ Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 209
- ^ a b c L'Héritier, op. cit., p. 53
- ^ Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 229
- ^ Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 225
- ^ Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 246
- ^ Troude, op.cit., vol. 3, p. 300
- ^ Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 272
- ^ Fond Marine, vol. 2, p. 439
Bibliography
- Roche, Jean-Michel (2005). Dictionnaire des bâtiments de la flotte de guerre française de Colbert à nos jours, 1671 - 1870. Group Retozel-Maury Millau. p. 344. ISBN 978-2-9525917-0-6. OCLC 165892922.
- Fonds Marine. Campagnes (opérations ; divisions et stations navales ; missions diverses). Inventaire de la sous-série Marine BB4. Tome premier : BB4 1 à 482 (1790-1826) [1]
- Fonds Marine. Campagnes (opérations ; divisions et stations navales ; missions diverses). Inventaire de la sous-série Marine BB4. Tome deuxième : BB4 1 à 482 (1790-1826) [2]
- Troude, Onésime-Joachim (1867). Batailles navales de la France. Vol. 3. Challamel ainé. pp. 160–162.
- Troude, Onésime-Joachim (1867). Batailles navales de la France. Vol. 4. Challamel ainé. pp. 160–162.
- James, William (2002) [1827]. The Naval History of Great Britain, Volume 1, 1793–1796. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-905-0. OCLC 165702223.
- L'Héritier, Louis François (1822). Les fastes de la gloire: ou, Les braves recommandés a la Postérité; monument élevé aux défenseurs de la patrie, par une société d'hommes de lettres, et de militaires. Vol. 5. Raymond.