Rene Duguay-Trouin

Biography

Of a family honourably known in the Merchant navy, it was intended at the ecclesiastical state, and made its studies with Rennes and Caen. But its taste for the pleasures opposing the sights of his/her parents, one enabled him to embark in 1689 on a ship armed in race against the English and the Dutchmen. In 1691, although it did not have that 18 years it accepted its family, in reward of its exploits, the command of a frigate of 14 guns. Thrown by a storm on the coast of Ireland, close to Limerick, it seized a castle pertaining to the count de Clarc, and set fire to two ships taken in the mud. While crossing in the Handle, it made many catches.

In 1694, it fell, close to the Scillies, in the middle of 6 English vessels, supported during four hours an unequal combat, and went only after very having exhausted and having received a wound. Taken along captive to Plymouth, it had freedom with the love of an English young person. Its new exploits after its return in France drew the attention of Louis XIV, which inserted it in the royal Marine. Sometimes under the orders of Nesmond, sometimes only, it continued to capture the enemy ships.

In 1696, it overcame and made captive the Admiral Dutch Wassenaer. During the war of succession of Spain, it afflicted the coasts of Spain, Holland and England.

In 1704 it took on the coasts of England a man-of-war of fifty four guns like twelve commercial vessels. Captain in 1706, it attacked a Brazilian fleet with 3 vessels, with the height of Lisbon, fleet of Brazil, which was charged with vivres and ammunition for the Archduke and which ten men-of-war escorted: the combat lasted two days.

Duguay-Trouin did not show any more intrepidity, but unhappy circumstances ruined its projects. In 1707, it repaired this failure while seizing a convoy of 200 veils, escorted by 6 large success, men-of-war which completed to ruin in Spain the businesses of the archduke. In 1709, one tells that it captured 300 trading vessels and 20 men-of-war or corsairs. To reward it for its services, Louis XIV decides to anoblir it.

Of all forwardings of Duguay-Trouin, most famous of Rio de Janeiro in 1711 is the catch. The fortifications of this place appeared impregnable. In eleven days they all were removed. It will force the city to pay heavy ransoms and to release 1000 French prisoners.

In 1715, it was named Chef of squadron, member of the council of the Indies in 1723, and 1728 general Lieutenant. In 1731, it accepted Louis XV the command of a squadron intended to support the interests of the trade, threatened by the Barbaresque ones and repressed the corsairs of Tunis. It was there its last feat of arms. Its infirmities obliged it soon to be withdrawn.

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