Jean Vauquelin
| Jean Vauquelin | |
|---|---|
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| Born |
1 February 1728 Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France |
| Died | 10 November 1772 (aged 44) Rochefort, Charente-Maritime, France |
| Occupation | Naval Officer |
Jean Vauquelin (February 1728 – 10 November 1772) was a French naval officer.
Vauquelin came to Canada as part of the naval force involved in the Seven Years' War. He arrived in 1758 in command of the frigate Atalante. Ensuing action involved Louisbourg and the naval battles with the British on the St. Lawrence. In 1760, he and his badly damaged ship were captured, the ship burned, and Vauquelin held by the British. His bravery had impressed his foes, who soon released him for return to France.
Jean Vauquelin was born February 1728 at Dieppe. He was the son of a merchant marine captain. Having taken the trade at an early age with his father, he served as an officer aboard a frigate during the War of Austrian Succession. Becoming captain himself in the merchant marine in 1750, he was recruited at the beginning of the Seven Years' War, by the commander of the navy in Le Havre to serve as an officer.
On 26 April 1757, he became commander of the frigate Tourterelle and entered the Marine Royale. In February 1758, he became lieutenant, and was given command of the Pèlerine, a 30 gun frigate bought by the king from a builder in Le Havre rebaptised the Aréthuse. Sent to Île Royale, he entered the port of Louisbourg on 9 June, getting past the Royal Navy's blockade commanded by Admiral Edward Boscawen. After assisting the defense of Louisbourg, Vauquelin slipped away under cover of night, evading the blockade a second time and reaching France after a rapid crossing of the Atlantic. His exploits were subsequently congratulated by the French minister of defense. Admiral Boscawen is reputed to have remarked after Vauquelin's bold escape that if he were a British officer, Boscawen would have given him a ship-of-the-line.
Returning to Canada the following year as captain of the frigate Atalante, Vauquelin participated in naval operations during the 1759 Siege of Quebec, and then at the Battle of Sainte-Foy, a French victory.
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