Jean Vauquelin
Encyclopedia
Jean Vauquelin was a French naval officer.
Vauquelin came to Canada as part of the naval force innvolved in the Seven Years' War
. He arrived in 1759 in commander 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 captured by the British. His bravery had impressed his foes, who soon released him for return to France.
He is commemorated by Vauquelin Square
, a small square located in Old Montreal
.
. In February 1758, he becomes lieutenant, and is given command of the Pèlerine, a 30 cannon frigate bought by the king from a builder in Le Havre rebaptised the Aréthuse. Sent to Île Royale, he manages to enter the port of Louisbourg on June 9, overriding the navy blockade by Edward Boscawen
, and takes a defensive role of Louisbourg. In July of that year, he manages to evade the blockade a second time and manages to reach France after a quick crossing of the Atlantic. His brilliant campaign is received by a letter of congratulations by the minister of defense.
Returning to Canada
the following year aboard the frigate Atalante as commander, he participates in the naval operations during the Siege of Quebec 1759, and then at the Battle of Sainte-Foy
, which was a French victory. In April–May 1760, while he was trying to help le chevalier de Lévis to retake the city, he is pursued by a British division. He therefore beaches and sets his frigate on fire. He is taken prisoner by the British on May 16 at Pointe-aux-Trembles
. Quickly liberated, he goes back to France and is promoted to captain of a larger ship in 1761, and lieutenant in October, 1764. He is in command of the la Bricole in 1764 and la Coulisse the following year.
Vauquelin came to Canada as part of the naval force innvolved in the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
. He arrived in 1759 in commander of the frigate Atalante. Ensuing action involved Louisbourg
Fortress of Louisbourg
The Fortress of Louisbourg is a national historic site and the location of a one-quarter partial reconstruction of an 18th century French fortress at Louisbourg, Nova Scotia...
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 captured by the British. His bravery had impressed his foes, who soon released him for return to France.
He is commemorated by Vauquelin Square
Vauquelin Square
Vauquelin Square is a small urban square located in Old Montreal.- Overview :The square was a part of the fief given in 1658 to Lambert Closse and ceded to the Jesuits in 1692. It passed to the Crown in 1763 and was the site of the old prison until 1836....
, a small square located in Old Montreal
Old Montreal
Old Montreal is the oldest area in the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, dating back to New France. Located in the borough of Ville-Marie, the area is bordered on the west by McGill St., on the north by Ruelle des Fortifications, on the east by Berri St. and on the south by the Saint Lawrence River...
.
Military career
On April 26, 1757, he becomes commander of a frigate named Tourterelle and enters the Marine RoyaleFrench Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
. In February 1758, he becomes lieutenant, and is given command of the Pèlerine, a 30 cannon frigate bought by the king from a builder in Le Havre rebaptised the Aréthuse. Sent to Île Royale, he manages to enter the port of Louisbourg on June 9, overriding the navy blockade by Edward Boscawen
Edward Boscawen
Admiral Edward Boscawen, PC was an Admiral in the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament for the borough of Truro, Cornwall. He is known principally for his various naval commands throughout the 18th Century and the engagements that he won, including the Siege of Louisburg in 1758 and Battle of Lagos...
, and takes a defensive role of Louisbourg. In July of that year, he manages to evade the blockade a second time and manages to reach France after a quick crossing of the Atlantic. His brilliant campaign is received by a letter of congratulations by the minister of defense.
Returning to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
the following year aboard the frigate Atalante as commander, he participates in the naval operations during the Siege of Quebec 1759, and then at the Battle of Sainte-Foy
Battle of Sainte-Foy
The Battle of Sainte-Foy, sometimes called the Battle of Quebec, was fought on April 28, 1760 near the British-held town of Quebec in the French province of Canada during the Seven Years' War . It was a victory for the French under the Chevalier de Lévis over the British army under General Murray...
, which was a French victory. In April–May 1760, while he was trying to help le chevalier de Lévis to retake the city, he is pursued by a British division. He therefore beaches and sets his frigate on fire. He is taken prisoner by the British on May 16 at Pointe-aux-Trembles
Neuville, Quebec
Neuville is a village on the north shore of the Saint Laurence River, just west of Quebec City, part of the Portneuf Regional County Municipality, Quebec, Canada. It was founded in 1684, and has remained quite picturesque throughout these years....
. Quickly liberated, he goes back to France and is promoted to captain of a larger ship in 1761, and lieutenant in October, 1764. He is in command of the la Bricole in 1764 and la Coulisse the following year.