Louis Augustin de Monteclerc

Louis Augustin de Monteclerc (La Rongère, Maine, 1727 – 25 March 1784)[1] was a French Navy officer. He served in the War of American Independence.

Biography

Monteclerc joined the Navy as a Garde-Marine in 1743.

Monteclerc was promoted to Lieutenant in 1757. He served on Éveillé, in Conflans' squadron, during the Seven Years' War.[1]

Monteclerc was promoted to Captain in 1772.[1] In 1777, he commanded the 64-gun Bizarre. [1][2] Navy Minister Sartine had chosen her to be one of the six ships held ready for immediate departure at all times.[3][Note 1]

In 1779, he commanded a division comprising the 64-gun Solitaire and the frigates Inconstante and Surveillante, and led an expedition to hunt down privateers. The division returned to Brest on 4 May 1779 with 400 prisoners.[1] Later that year, Solitaire was attached to a squadron under Orvilliers.[1][4]

In late 1799, Monteclerc was appointed vice-Director of naval constructions in Brest, and he was promoted to Director on 1 January 1780.[1] That same year, he commanded the 74-gun Hector, departing on 1 September and returning on 31 December.[1]

Monteclerc was promoted to Brigadier in 1781.[1] Later that year, he was given command of the 74-gun Diadème in the squadron under De Grasse.[5] He was wounded in the Battle of the Chesapeake on 5 September 1781, [1][6] and took part in the Battle of the Saintes on 12 April 1782.[7][8]

Monteclerc was acquitted from all accusations in the inquiry that followed the battle.[9] He then served under Vaudreuil before retiring in 1783.[1]

Notes
  1. The six ships held in a state of maximum readiness in Brest were the 74-gun Robuste, under Lamotte-Picquet; Actif, under Hector; Fendant, under Vaudreuil; and the 64-gun Bizarre, under Montecler; Roland, under Du Plessis Parscau; and Triton, under Brach.[3]

Citations
  1. Contenson (1934), p. 228.
  2. Lacour-Gayet (1910), p. 609.
  3. Lacour-Gayet (1910), p. 91.
  4. Troude (1867), p. 32.
  5. Troude (1867), p. 100.
  6. Troude (1867), p. 109.
  7. Troude (1867), p. 140.
  8. Lacour-Gayet (1910), p. 648.
  9. Troude (1867), p. 161.

References
  • 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.
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