René Joseph Bouvet de Précourt ( —

Trincomalee Trincomalee (; , ; , ), historically known as Gokanna and Gokarna, is the administrative headquarters of the Trincomalee District and major resort port city of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. Located on the east coast o ...

, 6 October 1782) was a French Navy officer. He was captain of the 64-gun ''Ajax'' in Suffren's squadron in the

Indian Ocean The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering or approximately 20% of the water area of Earth#Surface, Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia (continent), ...

during the War of American Independence, and fought at the Battle of Sadras on 17 February 1782.

Biography

Bouvet-Précourt was a French officer. He served in the French East India Company, making 12 journeys in 18 years and 2 months. He was the father of François Joseph Bouvet de Précourt. He served in the French Royal Navy under Admiral d'Aché in 1758 and 1759, rising to Captain. On 16 February 1780, Bouvet departed Lorient at the command of the 64-gun ''Ajax'', along with ''Protée'', ''Éléphant'' and ''Charmante'', escorting a convoy bound for India. In late February, off Spain, the convoy met Rodney's fleet; ''Protée'' sacrificed herself to hold the British back and was captured on 24, while ''Charmante'' returned to Lorient, arriving on 3 March, and the convoy escaped under the protection of ''Ajax''. At the Battle of Sadras, on 17 February 1782, Suffren ordered ''Ajax'' and ''Flamand'', under Cuverville, to attack the British line to leeward. They both maneuvered to this effect, but then Tromelin, on ''Annibal'', countermanded the order by signaling ''Ajax'' and ''Flamand'' to return to their post in the line of battle. While ''Ajax'' obeyed the order, ''Flamand'' sailed on and Saint-Félix, of ''Brillant'', requested permission to replace ''Ajax''. After the battle, Suffren apologised to Bouvet for the confusion in his orders that had frustrated him from a prime role in the battle, promising to make up for it at the next occasion. However, Bouvet's age and failing health limited his ability to fight. In the following months, his health deteriorated further. In the run-up to the Battle of Negapatam on 6 July 1782, Bouvet requested authorisation to retreat to harbour to effect repairs because the rigging of ''Ajax'' had been damaged by a gale the night before. When Suffren refused, ''Ajax'' remained with her squadron but without taking part in the action. Suffren was furious. Later in July, Suffren appointed Lieutenant de Beaumont le Maître to replace Bouvet. Suffren described Bouvet as "very ill" and "senile". Bouvet went to found passage from Cuddalore to Trincomalee, where he hoped to find a ship to Isle de France (Mauritius), but he died in Trincomalee from

scurvy Scurvy is a deficiency disease (state of malnutrition) resulting from a lack of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Early symptoms of deficiency include weakness, fatigue, and sore arms and legs. Without treatment, anemia, decreased red blood cells, gum d ...

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* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Bouvet de Précourt, René Joseph French Navy officers Year of birth missing 1782 deaths