Louis-Antoine-Cyprien Infernet (1757–1815) was a French Navy officer, famous for his bravery at the Battle of Trafalgar. He was born of humble origins near Toulon, a relative of André Masséna, he was rough and spoke in a strong Provençal accent. He joined the French Navy as a

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and performed 'powder monkey' duties too. He was a tall man for the time and of open, agreeable personality. Infernet captained , a Spanish-built 74-gun

ship of the line A ship of the line was a type of naval warship constructed during the Age of Sail from the 17th century to the mid-19th century. The ship of the line was designed for the naval tactic known as the line of battle, which depended on the two colu ...

, at the Battle of Trafalgar. ''Intrépide'' was part of

Dumanoir Philippe François Pinel, known as Dumanoir (31 July 1806 – 16 November 1865), was a French playwright and librettist. Biography Dumanoir was born in Capesterre-Belle-Eau, Guadeloupe. He was the son of Mrs. Pinel-Dumanoir, whose family plante ...

's six-ship vanguard squadron; Nelson's plan left these ships downwind and away from the fight, and Dumanoir did not answer

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's calls to

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and return to engage the English. Eventually, Infernet outraged at Dumanoir's lack of hunger for a fight ordered his ship turned. This was a difficult manoeuvre as the wind had died, but ''Intrépide'' was turned after a pulling was lowered, and eventually enough way was gathered to enter the battle. ''Intrépide'' engaged and , soon rejoined by , , and . Pressed to surrender, Infernet answered in Nice dialect: By then, ''Intrépide'' had lost all her masts, half her crew and was filled with of water. Still Infernet did not wish to surrender, but he was held down in tears as his colours were lowered. Along with others he swam for it, carrying his son, a 10-year old

midshipman A midshipman is an officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Canada (Naval Cadet), Australia, Bangladesh, Namibia, New Zealand, South Afr ...

, with him. He was picked up by HMS ''Orion'', where the English, recognizing his bravery treated him, and his crew, with great respect. ''Intrépide'' was scuttled the next day to avoid recapture by Cosmao's squadron. Infernet was taken to England, and later, like most senior captains and admirals was exchanged after a few months. Along with captain

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, he was presented to Napoleon at Saint-Cloud. Napoleon stated After the

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, Infernet was appointed Knight of the Order of Saint Louis on 18 August 1814. Nevertheless, he was cast aside, and died in Toulon on 15 May 1815.

Legacy

The cruiser was named in his honour.

Source and references

* Charles Mullié, ''Biographie des célébrités militaires des armées de terre et de mer de 1789 à 1850'', 1852 {{DEFAULTSORT:Infernet, Louis Antoine Cyprien French Navy officers Knights of the Order of Saint Louis 1815 deaths 1757 births French naval commanders of the Napoleonic Wars