Jean-Marie Dutertre

Jean-Marie (Jean) Dutertre (1768 in Lorient – 1811[1]) was a French privateer. His ships included the Modeste, the Heureux, the Passe-Partout and the Malartic.[2]

Career

Dutertre captained the 12-gun privateer Malartic, with a 100 to 120-man crew.[2] He was a friend and rival to Robert Surcouf in the Indian Ocean, one of whose several captured British East Indiamen was carrying the theodolite that would be used to triangulate the Indies and then measure the height of Mount Everest – this was returned "with compliments, for science". His dispute over recruiting crews at Port Louis on Mauritius – lured by a "better diet on board" – was settled by governor Malartic.[3]

In 1800, Dutertre's Malartic captured the East Indiaman Princess Royal.[2] He also captured the former East Indiaman Thomas, and in the same cruise, the ships Surprise, Joyce and Lord Hobart.[4] He later captured the Governor North, the Marquis de Wellesley[note 1] and a brig, before returning to Mauritius, where he arrived with his prizes on 21 September 1800.[5]

Soon after, Malartic departed for another campaign, capturing the ships Frederic North, Amboyna, Alkias and Malava, but was herself captured by the East Indiaman Phoenix on 10 November 1800.[5][6][7] Dutertre was taken prisoner, and was eventually released under the Treaty of Amiens in 1803.[5]

Dutertre eventually stopped commerce raiding and enlisted in the Navy. He achieved the rank of lieutenant and died in 1811 after the Invasion of Isle de France.[1]

Notes and References

Notes

  1. ↑ Name probably translated from English

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gallois, p. 412
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Gallois, p. 405
  3. ↑ Gallois, p. 410-412
  4. ↑ Gallois, p. 406
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Gallois, p. 407
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 15397. p. 1006. 15 August 1801.
  7. ↑ James, William, (1837), The naval history of Great Britain...Volume 3, Richard Bentley, London, pp.386, p.329

Bibliography