Victor-Louis Desmichels de Champorcin

Victor-Louis Desmichels de Champorcin ( 4 October 1724 — Battle of Grenada, 6 July 1779)[1] was a French Navy officer. He served in the War of American Independence.

Biography

Champorcin was born to the family of Thérèse de Brouchier and of Henry Desmichel, governor of Digne.[1] He joined the Navy as a Garde-Marine in January 1742.[1]

He served on the 26-gun frigate Flore, part of a division under Caylus, and took part in the action of 6 August 1741.[1][2]

Champorcin was promoted to Ensign in 1748, and served on the 24-gun frigate Galatée, under Tourville, and Mutine, under Des Roches. He rose to Lieutenant in 1756.[1]

In 1758, he was appointed to the 80-gun Foudroyant, on which he took part in the Battle of Cartagena on 28 February 1758. He was taken prisoner when Foudroyant was captured by Monmouth, Hampton Court and Swiftsure.[3]

Champorcin rose to Commander in 1767, and to Captain on 1772.[1]

In May 1777, Champorcin captained the 64-gun Provence, based at Toulon.[4] The next year, he was promoted to Brigadier,[1] and Provence was appointed to the squadron under Estaing, bound for America.[5][6] At the Battle of Rhode Island, Provence and Protecteur, under Dapchon, remained at sea to blockade Newport and prevent British relief to reach the city.[7] He was killed at the Battle of Grenada on 6 July 1779.[8]

First officer Garnier de Saint-Antonin took over command of Provence.[8] Lacour-Gayet cited Champorcin as an example of the younger generation of officers who revitalised the French Navy after the nadir under Louis XV.[9]


Sources and references

Notes

    References

    1. Rouxel.
    2. Roche (2005), p. 205, volume 1.
    3. Colledge. Ships of the Royal Navy. p. 132.
    4. Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 610.
    5. Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 630.
    6. Troude (1867), p. 12.
    7. Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 164.
    8. Contenson (1934), p. 255.
    9. Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 139.

    Bibliography

    External links

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