Jean-François d'Arros d'Argelos

Jean-François d'Arros d'Argelos
Born26 August 1730
Arthès, France
Died9 September 1791
Service / branchFrench Navy
RankChef d'Escadre
Battles / warsWar of American Independence
Battle of the Chesapeake
Battle of the Saintes

Jean-François d'Arros d'Argelos (Arthès, 26 August 1730[1] — 9 September 1791) was a French Navy officer. He served in the War of American Independence. D'Arros Island was named in his honour.

Biography

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Arros d'Argelos was born to the family of a Navy Captain. He joined the Navy as a Garde-Marine on 20 March 1744.[1] He was promoted to Lieutenant on 15 May 1756. [1]

In 1768, Arros d'Argelos was captain of the fluyt Balance,[2] wrecked near Madeira while returning from Martinique.[2][3] He then transferred on the corvette Expérience in Rochefort.[2] The year after, he commanded the 14-gun fluyt Nourrice, sailing between Rochefort, the Cape of Good Hope, and the Bay of All Saints in Brazil.[4]

He was promoted to Captain on 18 February 1772.[1] The same year, he was given command of the 64-gun Indien, in the Indian Ocean.[5] [6]

In 1780, Arros d'Argelos commanded the 80-gun Auguste in Brest,[7] as flag captain under Chef d'Escadre Rochechouart.[8][7]

He commanded the 74-gun Palmier at the Battle of the Chesapeake on 5 September 1781.[9][10] The next year, he was promoted to Brigadier.[9]

He took part in the Battle of the Saintes on 12 April 1782, captaining the 80-gun Languedoc.[11][12][9] During the inquiry that followed the battle, Arros d'Argelos was one of the officers whom De Grasse blamed for the defeat,[13][14] but he was acquitted of all accusations made against him.[15]

On 20 August 1784, he was promoted to Chef d'Escadre.[1]

Arros d'Argelos was a member of the Académie de Marine.[9]

Sources and references

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Citations

References

  • Aman, Jacques (1976). Les Officiers bleus dans la marine française au 18e siècle. Librairie Droz. ISBN 9782600033756.
  • Contenson, Ludovic (1934). La Société des Cincinnati de France et la guerre d'Amérique (1778-1783). Paris: éditions Auguste Picard. OCLC 7842336.
  • Lacour-Gayet, Georges (1910). La marine militaire de la France sous le règne de Louis XVI. Paris: Honoré Champion.
  • Troude, Onésime-Joachim (1867). Batailles navales de la France (in French). Vol. 2. Challamel ainé.
  • Roche, Jean-Michel (2005). Dictionnaire des bâtiments de la flotte de guerre française de Colbert à nos jours. Vol. 1. Group Retozel-Maury Millau. ISBN 978-2-9525917-0-6. OCLC 165892922.

External links