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Pierre de Landais (pyair deh lon-DAY)

Historic Fantasy

Captain Pierre de Landais

Pierre de Landais, born around 1731 into a noble yet impoverished family in Normandy, France, embarked on a naval career that spanned the tumultuous periods of both the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars. His early years in the French Navy saw him volunteering in 1745, engaging in combat where he was wounded in 1762, and subsequently captured by the British. His adventurous spirit led him to accompany Bougainville on a global voyage of discovery from 1766 to 1769, further enriching his maritime experience.   In 1775, Landais found himself discharged from the French service, but his nautical journey was far from over. By March 1777, Silas Deane, an American envoy to France, recognized Landais' potential and granted him a captain's commission, entrusting him with a merchantman laden with supplies for the American cause. Despite facing a mutiny, Landais successfully delivered his cargo to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on December 1, 1777, a feat that earned him a reward from Congress in 1779.   Landais' ambition led him to seek a command within the Continental Navy in 1778, though he initially faced rejection. Persistence paid off when Congress appointed him captain of the Alliance in 1779, a role that saw him carrying the esteemed Marquis de Lafayette back to France. His tenure aboard the Alliance was marked by discord, including another attempted mutiny and a controversial engagement with John Paul Jones during the famed battle between the Bonhomme Richard and the Serapis in September 1779, where Landais' actions sparked a bitter dispute with Jones.   Landais' naval career in America ended in controversy, culminating in his dismissal from service after a court of inquiry found him guilty of misconduct. Returning to France amidst the Revolution, he was given command of a warship and later promoted to vice admiral, participating in operations against Sardinia and off the coast of Brittany. However, his commission was revoked in 1793 following mutinies within his fleet.   Landais spent his later years in New York City, where he continued to press for compensation for his services and prize captures. In 1806, Congress awarded him four thousand dollars, but further efforts for relief were unsuccessful. He died impoverished in New York City in 1820, his life a testament to the complexities of naval service during a period of revolutionary change. Despite the controversies that marred his career, Pierre de Landais remains a figure of resilience and determination, whose contributions to the American Revolutionary cause and French naval efforts are a reminder of the personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom and national service.
Historical Figures
Generic article | Oct 23, 2024

Historically inspired people from the Mortal Realm

Currently Boarded Vehicle
Species
Date of Birth
c1730
Date of Death
c1820
Life
1730 CE 1820 CE 90 years old
Circumstances of Death
Unknown
Birthplace
Normandy, France
Place of Death
New York City, NY
Children
Sex
Male

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