Charles de Bernard de Marigny
| Charles de Bernard de Marigny | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
February 1, 1740 Sées |
| Died | July 25, 1816 (aged 76) Brest |
| Allegiance |
Kingdom of France, First French Republic, First French Empire, Kingdom of France |
| Service/branch | Navy |
| Years of service | 1754-1816 |
| Rank | Vice admiral |
Charles-René-Louis, vicomte de Bernard de Marigny (1 February 1740 in Sées – 25 July 1816 in Brest) was a French vice admiral, grand-cross of the ordre de Saint-Louis and commander of the Brest fleet.
Born the fourth boy of an eight-child, old-but-poor family from Normandy, Marigny was destined to an ecclesiastic career; he was soon sent to Sées seminary. However, his temperament inclined him more to adventure; and at age 14 he escaped the seminary to find refuge with his older brother, who served with the gardes de la marine in Rochefort.
Marigny broke relations with his father and studied to enter the gardes de la marine as well. He was admitted in 1754 and was appointed to the frigate Valeur the next year, for a 14-month campaign. He suffered from acute sea sickness, but he eventually managed to overcome this problem.
Promoted to ensign in 1757, Marigny was appointed to the corvette Zéphir, and later to the 74-gun Actif, taking part in a campaign to India.
After 40 months, Marigny returned to France on Zodiaque, and served successively on Glorieux, Minotaure, Union, the frigate Légère and the fluyt Garonne. He cruised off Hispaniola, off Africa, Portugal, and India. In 1767, he was promoted to lieutenant and sent in a survey mission on the coasts of India. After an eight-month journey, he returned to France with a mémoire for the Ministry of the Navy.
In 1770, Marigny was given command of the scow Dorade, ferrying ammunition from Bayonne to Rochefort. After Dorade was decommissioned, Marigny was appointed to the harbor of Brest.
In 1775, Marigny was awarded the Order of Saint Louis and given command of the corvette Serin, and of the station of Windward Islands.
Poisoned by sleeping on his freshly repainted ship, Marigny fell ill for one year and had to resign his command. Once cured, he was given command of the corvette Étourdie, cruising in the English Channel for six months.
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