Denis Decrès
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Denis Decrès, 18 June 1761 in Chaumont - 7 December 1820 in Paris was an officer of the French Navy and count, later duke of the First Empire.
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[edit] Early career
Decrès joined the Navy at the age of 18, in the squadron on Admiral De Grasse. He took part in the Battle of the Saintes in 1782, and was in India when the French Revolution broke out.
[edit] Revolution era
In October 1793, Decrès was sent as a messenger to request assistance for the Île de France (now Mauritius). Arrived in Lorient, on the 10 April 1794, he was arrested for being nobility. He was restored to his rank of capitaine de vaisseau in June 1795, and took part, as a division commander, in the attempt to invade Ireland in 1796. Promoted to contre-amiral in 1798, he was in command of a light squadron during the campaign in Egypt, covering the landing in Malta. He fought at the Battle of the Nile on the Guillaume Tell and managed to escape to Malta.
[edit] Consulate and First Empire
Attacked by three English ships as he was trying to break the blockade, with 200 sick and 1000 soldiers aboard, he surrendered after disabling two of his opponents, and with half of his crew killed or wounded. He was exchanged and returned to France, where the First consul personally gave him an honour sabre. From the first of October 1801 to the end of the Empire, he served as minister of the Navy, and was made a Duke.
He died in a fire set by one of his servants would had tried to kill and rob him.
He played a great role in the organisation of the French Navy, but is rumoured to have chosen mediocre collaborators, out of jealousy.
[edit] External links
- (French) Decrès
| Preceded by Pierre Alexandre Laurent Forfait |
Ministers of Marine and the Colonies 3 October 1801 - 1 April 1814 |
Succeeded by Pierre-Victor, baron Malouet |
| Preceded by Jacques, comte Beugnot |
Ministers of Marine and the Colonies 20 March 1815 - 7 July 1815 |
Succeeded by François Arnail, comte de Jaucourt |
