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

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

Citations

  1. Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 656.
  2. 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 ;
  3. 1 2 Cunat (1852), p. 217.
  4. 1 2 Cunat (1852), p. 301-302.
  5. 1 2 Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 644.
  6. Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 338.
  7. Troude (1867), p. 73.
  8. Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 528.
  9. 1 2 Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 550.
  10. Lacour-Gayet (1905), p. 660.
  11. ""Répertoire général des sources manuscrites de l'histoire de Paris pendant la révolution française"". Internet archives. 1890. Retrieved 31 May 2020.

References

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