Denis Decrès
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Denis Decrès, born 18 June 1761 in Chaumont - died 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, where he was promoted enseigne de vaisseau, 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 promoted to command of the 80-gun ship Le Formidable in October 1795. While in command of her, he took part, as a division commander, in the attempt to invade Ireland in 1796.
Promoted to contre-amiral in April 1798, he was in command of a light squadron during the campaign in Egypt, covering the landing in Malta. He was given command by Napoleon of the frigate squadron accompanying Brueys's fleet in the expedition to Egypt, and took part in the Battle of the Nile on the 40-gun frigate La Diane and managed to escape to Malta, where he hoisted his flag aboard the 80-gun ship Le Guillaume Tell.
[edit] Consulate and First Empire
Attacked by three British ships as he was trying to break the blockade of Malta on 30 March 1800, with 200 sick and 1000 soldiers aboard, he surrendered early next day, after a defence of nearly eight hours, after disabling two of his opponents, and with half of his crew killed or wounded. He was exchanged in August 1800, and returned to France, where the First Consul personally gave him an honour sabre - a grant of the "Arms of Honour" which Napoleon had introduced as a decoration before instituting the Legion d'Honeur - and appointed him as maritime prefect at Lorient.
From 3 October 1801 to the end of the Empire on 1 April 1814, he served as Napoleon's Minister of the Navy. During this period, he was again promoted - this time to vice-amiral - on 30 May 1804, and was made a Duke in April 1813. Upon Napoleon's return from Elba to France, Decrès briefly resumed his post as Minister of the Navy again during the Hundred Days from 20 March to 22 June 1815, and from then until his successor was appointed on 7 July.
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 |
