Louis-Esprit d'Aymar
Louis-Esprit d'Aymar[1][2] was a French Navy officer. He fought in the Indian Ocean under Suffren during the War of American Independence, captaining the 64-gun Saint Michel at the Battle of Trincomalee from 25 August to 3 September 1782, [3] and the 74-gun Annibal at the Battle of Cuddalore on 20 June 1783.[4]
Biography[edit]
The Chevalier d'Aymar was born to the family of a treasurer from Aix-en-Provence. He joined the Navy as a Garde-Marine on 29 September 1749. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 May 1763, and to Captain on 4 April 1777.[5]
d'Aymar took part in the Battle of Martinique, on 17 April 1780, at the command of Saint-Michel. Along with Vengeur and Destin, Saint Michel directly engaged the much stronger Sandwich, under Rodney, Cornwall and Suffolk. Being smallest of the ship, Saint-Michel sustained especially heavy damage, and Aymar had his right a w shot away by a cannonball.[6][7]
Aymar left France in November 1781 at the command of Saint-Michel, part of a division also comprising the 74-gun Illustre the frigate Consolante. The division made in junction with Suffren's squadron at Batacalo on 9 August 1782.[8]
Aymar captained the 64-gun Saint Michel at the Battle of Trincomalee from 25 August to 3 September 1782. [3] When Suffren reshuffled his captains after the Battle of Trincomalee, he promoted d'Aymar to the 74-gun Annibal. D'Aymar commanded her at the Battle of Cuddalore on 20 June 1783.[4]
After the war, he was amongst the captains that Suffren recommended for promotion[9] [Note 1] He received a 600-livre pension in recognition of his service.[10]
In 1791, after the duel between Lameth and Castries, Aymar publicly regretted that Castries had not killed Lameth. A crowd then brutalised Aymar.[11]
D'Aymar was promoted to Rear Admiral on 1 January 1792.[5]
Notes[edit]
- ^ The list comprised d'Aymar, Bruyères, Clavières, Du Chilleau, Saint-Félix, Cuverville, Vignes d'Arrac and La Règle.[9]
Citations[edit]
- ^ Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 656.
- ^ Catalogue général des manuscrits des bibliothèques publiques de France : Départements. ISBN 9782717710984. Retrieved 31 May 2020 – via Internet archive.
Ordre de Louis-Esprit d'Aymar, commandant la division navale, à M. de Pehan, commandant la frégate la Consolante, d'embarquer un détachement en vertu des ordres du marquis de Bussy-Castelnau, commandant les forces du roi dans les Indes. A bord du Saint-Michel, en rade de l'isle de France, 9 juin 1782 ;
- ^ a b Cunat (1852), p. 217.
- ^ a b Cunat (1852), p. 301-302.
- ^ a b Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 644.
- ^ Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 338.
- ^ Troude (1867), p. 73.
- ^ Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 528.
- ^ a b Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 550.
- ^ Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 660.
- ^ ""Répertoire général des sources manuscrites de l'histoire de Paris pendant la révolution française"". Internet archives. 1890. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
References[edit]
- Cunat, Charles (1852). Histoire du Bailli de Suffren. Rennes: A. Marteville et Lefas.
- Lacour-Gayet, Georges (1905). La marine militaire de la France sous le règne de Louis XVI. Paris: Honoré Champion. OCLC 763372623.
- Troude, Onésime-Joachim (1867). Batailles navales de la France (in French). Vol. 2. Challamel ainé. OCLC 836362484.