Louis-Antoine, Comte de Bougainville (12 November 1729 – August 1811) was a French admiral and explorer. A contemporary of the British explorer James Cook, he took part in the Seven Years' War in North America and the American Revolutionary War against Britain. Bougainville later gained fame for his expeditions, including a circumnavigation of the globe in a scientific expedition in 1763, the first recorded settlement on the Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas, and voyages into the Pacific Ocean. Bougainville Island of Papua New Guinea as well as the Bougainvillea flower were named after him. (Intro from Wikipedia)
November 12, 1729 - Paris - Louis-Antoine de Bougainville is born
November 13, 1729 - Paris - Baptized in the Church of Saint-Merri, Paris
May 22, 1734 - Paris | Versailles - His mother Marie-Françoise d'Arboulin, dies in Paris when he was 5 years old. He is placed under the protection of Madame Hérault de Séchelles in Versailles
January(?) 1(?), 1740 - Paris - Enrolls at the College of Beauvais in Paris
January(?) 1(?), 1750 - Paris - Begins his military career as a "Mousquetaire Noir" =(START)
January(?) 1(?), 1753 - Sarrelouis, N. of Nancy - Bougainville secures the post of "aide-major" with the Régiment de Picardie
January(?) 1(?), 1754 - While in Sarrelouis(?) - Publishes the 1st volume of a treatise on integral calculus, as a suplement to De l'Hôpital's treatise, "Des infiniment petits"
August 1(?), 1754 - Sarrelouis, N. of Nancy - Appointed as "enseigne en pied" in the service of General François de Chevert
October 12, 1754 - London, England - Made third secretary in the retinue of the Marquis de Lévis-Mirepoix, who was sent to the Royal Court in London to attempt a resolution of colonial boundary issues in North America. Bougainville learns the English language
February 1(?), 1755 - Paris(?) - Mirepoix and Bougainville are recalled to France
February 14, 1755 - Richemont, N. of Metz - Bougainville is promoted to Lieutenant and attached to the regiment of Dragoons of d'Apchon
August 26, 1755 - Richemont - Bougainville joins the staff of Lieutenant-General François de Chevert at Richemont
September 25, 1755 - Richemont - Leaves the staff of Lieutenant-General François de Chevert
January(?) 1(?), 1756 - While in Richemont - Publishes the 2nd volume of a treatise on integral calculus, as a suplement to De l'Hôpital's treatise, "Des infiniment petits"
January 8, 1756 - While in Richemont - Bougainville becomes a member of the "Royal Society"
February 27, 1756 - Richemont - Promoted to "Capitaine" of the Dragoon regiment d'Apchon
March 26, 1756 - Paris - Departs for Brest
March 29, 1756 - Brest - Letter to his brother Jean-Pierre from aboard the "La Licorne"
April 3, 1756 - Brest - Departs for Canada aboard the "La Licorne", sailing together with the "Le Héros"
April 14, 1756 - Off the Azores Islands - "La Licorne" reaches the Azores on Holy Wednesday in very heavy Sea
April 18, 1756 - Middle North Atlantic Ocean - Bougainville celebrates Easter day with the weather and Sea calming down (for the rest of the voyage)
May 12, 1756 - Quebec - Arrives in Quebec with the last major contingent sent from the government of Louis XV to maintain the colony
May 22, 1756 - Quebec - Bougainville leaves Quebec, travelling up the St.Lawrence River to Montreal to meet with Montcalm
June 4, 1756 - Montreal, Quebec - Letter to his brother Jean-Pierre
July 21, 1756 - Montreal - Montcalm and Bougainville leave Montreal to travel upriver toward Fort Frontenac
July 29, 1756 - Fort Frontenac, Kingston, Ontario - Montcalm arrives at Fort Frontenac to lead the assault on Fort Oswego
August 10, 1756 - Oswego, New York - Battle of Oswego - French victory. 1,700 british soldiers are made prisoners
August 26, 1756 - Montreal, Quebec - Letter to his brother Jean-Pierre
November 9, 1756 - Quebec - Letter to his brother Jean-Pierre
December 1, 1756 - While in Quebec - His father, Yves-Pierre de Bougainville, dies in Paris, aged 70
June 30, 1757 - Montreal, Quebec - Letter to Madame Hérault de Séchelles
July 3, 1757 - Montreal, Quebec - Letter to his brother Jean-Pierre
August 1(?), 1757 - Fort Carillon (Ticonderoga), Lake Champlain, New York - Montcalm leaves Fort Carillon to besiege Fort William Henry with 6,000 soldiers, 1,600 indians and 40 cannons and mortars
August 3, 1757 - Lake George, New York - The Battle for Fort William Henry begins
August 9, 1757 - Lake George - The British surrender. The Battle for Fort William Henry ends in french victory
August 19, 1757 - Montreal, Quebec - Letters to Madame Hérault de Séchelles and his brother Jean-Pierre
September 17, 1757 - Quebec - Letter to his brother Jean-Pierre
September 20, 1757 - Quebec - Letter to Madame Hérault de Séchelles
November 8, 1757 - Quebec - Letter to Madame Hérault de Séchelles
February 20, 1758 - Quebec - Letter to Madame Hérault de Séchelles
April 21, 1758 - Montreal, Quebec - Letters to Madame Hérault de Séchelles and his brother Jean-Pierre
June 17, 1758 - Montreal - Letter to Madame Hérault de Séchelles
July 8, 1758 - Fort Carillon (Ticonderoga), Lake Champlain, New York - Battle of Fort Carillon - Decisive French Victory. Bougainville is wounded
July 23, 1758 - Camp du Lac Sacrement - Letter to Madame Hérault de Séchelles: "My wound is beginning to heal, my dear mother"
September 9, 1758 - Montreal, Quebec - Montcalm and Bougainville arrive in Montreal
November 15, 1758 - Quebec - Bougainville leaves Canada for France to announce their victory at Carillon and request more ships
January 1(?), 1759 - Morlaix, France - Bougainville lands at Morlaix
February 10, 1759 - Aveyron, France(?) - Promoted to Colonel of the Rouergue Regiment
March 28, 1759 - Bordeaux - Departs from Bordeaux aboard the "Chézine"
May 10, 1759 - Quebec - Bougainville returns to Quebec
May 16, 1759 - Montreal, Quebec - Letter to Madame Hérault de Séchelles
June 26, 1759 - Quebec - Siege of Quebec
July 31, 1759 - Montmorency - Bougainville defends the camp at Montmorency with 500 men, protecting communications between Montreal and Quebec
August 8, 1759 - Pointe-aux-Trembles (Neuville) - Twice repels british landing attempts
August 17, 1759 - Deschambault - Drives back a force disembarking at Deschambault
September 13, 1759 - Quebec - Battle of the Plains of Abraham - Decisive British Victory
September 22, 1759 - Camp de Lorette - Letter to Madame Hérault de Séchelles
April 28, 1760 - Quebec - Battle of Saint-Foy - French victory
August 22, 1760 - Ile-aux-Noix, S-SE of Montreal, Quebec - Repels an attack by William Haviland
August 27, 1760 - Ile-aux-Noix - The French are evacuated from Ile-aux-Noix and head toward Montreal following an English attack, leaving only thirty soldiers and one officer to protect the wounded. Bougainville negotiates the conditions of France’s surrender. He and the rest of the troops are taken as prisoners
September 7, 1760 - Montreal, Quebec - Bougainville negotiates the french surrender with British General Jeffery Amherst
December 1(?), 1760 - Paris - Returns to Paris
August 30, 1762 - Bad Neuheim, Germany - Serves as aide-de-camp to the Duke of Choiseul-Stainville in Germany. He distinguishes himself in the Battle of Neuheim and the King awards him two of the captured cannons
June 13, 1763 - While in Saint-Malo(?) - His brother Jean-Pierre dies in Loches, aged 41
June 15, 1763 - Saint-Malo(?) - Promoted temporarily to "Capitaine de Vaisseau"
September 22, 1763 - Saint-Malo - Sets out from France with two ships, the 20-gun frigate "L'Aigle" and the 8-gun corvette "Sphynx", to establish a colony in the Falkland/Malvinas Islands
November(?) 1(?), 1763 - Santa Catarina Island, S. of Brazil - Stop at Santa Catarina Island to take in horses and cattle
December(?) 1(?), 1763 - Montevideo, Uruguay - Bougainville stops at Montevideo, where he is received by the governor
January 16, 1764 - Montevideo - Sets sail for the Falklands/Malvinas
January 31, 1764 - Falkland/Malvinas Islands - Bougainville reaches the Falkland/Malvinas Islands
February 3, 1764 - Baie d'Acarron, NE Falkland Islands - Bougainville finds a place with good conditions to establish a colony
March 17, 1764 - Port Louis, NE Falkland/Malvinas Islands - Bougainville establishes Port Louis with 29 settlers
April 5, 1764 - Port Louis - Formal ceremony of possession of the islands
April 8, 1764 - Port Louis - Bougainville sets sail to France to look for more provisions and new settlers
June 26, 1764 - Saint-Malo - Returns to Saint-Malo
October 6, 1764 - Saint-Malo - Sets sail for the Falklands/Malvinas with another 53 settlers
January 1765 - Port Louis, NE Falkland/Malvinas Islands - Arrives at Port Louis
February 2, 1765 - Port Louis - Sets sail for the Strait of Magellan to bring wood for the colony
February 16, 1765 - Cape Virgines - At Cape Virgines, Bougainville follows 3 british ships into the Strait of Magellan, ships he discovers to be commanded by Commodore Byron, with orders to reconnoitre the Falkland/Malvinas Islands
February 21, 1765 - Strait of Magellan - Bougainville anchors in the Strait of Magelland and spends a few days chopping wood for the colony
March 15, 1765 - Strait of Magellan - Sets sail back to the Falklands/Malvinas
March 24, 1765 - Cape Virgines - Bougainville exits the Strait of Magellan
March 29, 1765 - Port Louis, NE Falkland/Malvinas Islands - Bougainville returns to Port Louis
April 27, 1765 - Port Louis - Sets sail back to France
August 13, 1765 - Saint-Malo - Bougainville returns to Saint-Malo
February 15, 1766 - While in Saint-Malo(?) - The "Étoile" arrives in Port-Louis, Falklands/Malvinas
April 9, 1766 - Madrid, Spain - Visits Madrid to try to persuade the spaniards to drop their claim and, once he had failed, to negotiate compensation
May 29, 1766 - France - Returns to France
September 2, 1766 - Spain - Second trip to Spain
October 4, 1766 - San Ildefonso, Segovia(?) - “I, Louis de Bougainville, Colonel of the Armies of His Most Christian Majesty, received 618,108 pounds, 13 cents and 11 deniers, amount of the Estimate that I gave of the Expenses made by the Company of St. Malo, for equipment and foundation of his illegitimate establishments in the Malvinas Islands belonging to His Catholic Majesty, namely "40,000 pounds, paid in account in Paris by His Excellency the Count de Fuentes, Ambassador of His Catholic Majesty for which I gave a receipt."
October 15, 1766 - France - Returns to France
November 5, 1766 - Saint-Brevin-les-Pins - The sailing frigate "Boudeuse" is moved fromPaimbœuf to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins to finish arming it November 15, 1766 - Nantes, France - Bougainville sails from Nantes two ships: The 1,030-ton frigate "Boudeuse" (captain : Nicolas Pierre Duclos-Guyot) and the 480-ton fluyt "Étoile" (commanded by François Chenard de la Giraudais), with a crew of 214 aboard Boudeuse and 116 aboard Étoile
November 21, 1766 - Brest - Decides to stop in Brest after the mainmast is broken in a strong gale
December 4, 1766 - Brest - Departs from Brest after repairing the mast
December 17, 1766 - Savage Islands (between Madeira and Canary Islands) - Sailing past Savage Islands
December 18, 1766 - La Palma, Canary Islands - Sailing past La Palma island, Canary Islands
December 19, 1766 - El Hierro, Canary Islands - Sailing past El Hierro island, Canary Islands
January 8, 1767 - Line of the Equator - Bougainville crosses the line of the Equator
January 29, 1767 - Between Lobos Island and Playa de los Ingleses, Punta del Este, Uruguay - Bougainville sees land while sailing between Lobos Island and Playa de los Ingleses, Punta del Este
January 31, 1767 - Montevideo, Uruguay - Bougainville anchors in Montevideo Bay. He meets Don Felipe Ruiz Puente, captain of the "La Esmeralda" and "La Liebre" (the Hare) and future governor of Islas Malvinas, to transfer possession and evacuate the French population
February 1, 1767 - While in Buenos Aires, Argentina - Bougainville and Puente go together to Buenos Aires in order to consult there with the Governor General, Don Francisco Bucarely, the necessary measures for the cession of the establishment he was to hand over to the spaniards. Meanwhile, a second ship, the "Étoile" sets sail from Rochefort to join Bougainville
February 16, 1767 - Montevideo, Uruguay - Bougainville returns from Buenos Aires
February 28, 1767 - Montevideo - Bougainville sets sail to the Malvinas in company of the two spanish frigates
March 3, 1767 - South Atlantic Ocean - After days of bad weather, Bougainville manages to leave River Plate
March 21, 1767 - Falkland/Malvinas Islands - Bougainville reaches the northeastern coast of the Falkland Islands
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| Boudeuse |
March 25, 1767 - Port Louis, NE Falkland/Malvinas Islands - "Boudeuse" and the two spanish frigates enter the harbor of Port LouisApril 1, 1767 - Port Louis, NE Falkland/Malvinas Islands - Bougainville hands over the french establishment to the spanish. He reads a letter from the King to the french inhabitants, in which he allowed them to remain there under the domination of the Catholic King
April 27, 1767 - Port Louis, NE Falkland/Malvinas Islands - The families that didn't want to stay, sail with the spanish frigates back to Montevideo. Bougainville waits for the "Étoile"
June 2, 1767 - Port Louis, NE Falkland/Malvinas Islands - With enough food for only 2 months, Bougainville decides to sail for Rio de Janeiro
June 21, 1767 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Bougainville anchors in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro
June 22, 1767 - Rio de Janeiro - Visit to the portuguese Viceroy
June 25, 1767 - Rio de Janeiro - The portuguese Viceroy visits Bougainville and offers help. Bougainville is invited to attend opera
July 14, 1767 - Rio de Janeiro - Bougainville sets sail for the Strait of Magellan
July 29, 1767 - River Plate - Bougainville reaches River Plate
July 31, 1767 - Montevideo, Uruguay - Bougainville anchors in Montevideo Bay
August 11, 1767 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Bougainville goes to Buenos Aires to accelerate the provision of food necessary for the voyage
August 25, 1767 - Montevideo, Uruguay - The french celebrate the feast of Saint-Louis, with Bougainville back in Montevideo
September 8, 1767 - Encenada de Baragan, La Plata, Argentina - Bougainville boards the "Étoile" with carpenters from the "Boudeuse" and sails up river to Encenada de Baragan. Days before, the ship was hit at anchor by a spanish ship during a storm and damaged
October 8, 1767 - Lara Point, Argentina - The "Étoile" enters the port of Punta Lara (Lara Point)
October 21, 1767 - Lara Point - The "Étoile" begins being loaded with wood, flour, biscuit and other provisions
November 3, 1767 - Montevideo, Uruguay - Bougainville and the "Étoile" return to Montevideo
November 10, 1767 - Montevideo - Back aboard the "Boudeuse", the ships' masts are rigged and they are floated to anchor at the head of the harbor
November 14, 1767 - Montevideo - Bougainville sails from Montevideo
November 22, 1767 - off the Coast of Patagonia - The "Étoile" suffers serious damage during a stormy night and looses all but two oxen
November 27, 1767 - Cape Virgines, Argentina - Bougainville reaches Cape Virgines
December 6, 1767 - Cape Possession, Chile - After days of bad weather and contrary winds, Bougainville reaches Cape Possession, in the mouth of the Strait of Magellan
December 8, 1767 - Strait of Magellan - In difficult weather, Bougainville passes the first bottleneck inside the Strait of Magellan
December 11, 1767 - Isabel Island, Punta Arenas, Strait of Magellan - Bougainville anchors at Isabel Island, as temperature falls to 7ºC
December 16, 1767 - Cape Froward, Strait of Magellan - Bougainville reaches Cape Froward, The southernmost point of America and where the Strait of Magellan turns to northeast
December 18, 1767 - W. of Cape Froward, Strait of Magellan - The "Étoile" is repaired
January 2, 1768 - Isla Rupert, Strait of Magellan - Bougainville anchors at Rupert Island (near Carlos III Island)
January 26, 1768 - South Pacific Ocean - Bougainville exits the Strait of Magellan and enters into the Pacific Ocean
March 22, 1768 - Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia - Reaches the islands of the Tuamotu group. Discovers the atolls of Vahitahi and Akiaki
April 2, 1768 - Mehetia, French Polynesia - Sees the peak of Mehetia |
| Arrival in Tahiti, 1768 |
April 4, 1768 - East Tahiti - Bougainville reaches Tahiti. The natives receive the french expedition in their canoes and some trading happens
April 6, 1768 - North Tahiti - Bougainville reconnoitres the north coast of Tahiti but decides to turn around to find an anchorage
April 7, 1768 - Tahiti - Bougainville anchors at Tahiti. The chief of the island comes aboard with gifts, but later he is displeased when the french go ashore and establish a camp
April 15, 1768 - Tahiti - Bougainville sets sail from Tahiti
May 3, 1768 - Samoa - Bougainville reaches Samoa. The natives receive the french expedition in their canoes and some trading happens
May 22, 1768 - Pentecost Island, Vanuatu - Bougainville reaches the islands of Vanuatu
June 4, 1768 - near the Great Barrier Reef, off the NE coast of Australia - Bougainville almost runs into heavy breakers and has to change course to the north and east. He had almost found the Great Barrier Reef
June 17, 1768 - Ouessant Island, off the SE tip of Papua New Guinea - Sailing to the NE, Bougainville finds a tiny island in a line of breakers. As the crew begins feeling hunger, the last goat from the Malvinas is sacrificed, aswell as an old dog from the Strait of Magellan
June 28, 1768 - Off Bougainville Island - Bougainville sights the island to which later would have his name
June 30, 1768 - Bougainville Island - A group is sent ashore to look for a good anchorage. The small boat is followed by unfriendly natives in canoes and Bougainville decides to leave that spot
July 1, 1768 - Choiseul Island, Salomon Islands - After finding a good anchorage, the french are attacked by 150 indians in canoes but they repel the attackers
July 4, 1768 - Bouka Island (N. Bougainville) - Bougainville finds another settlement of unfriendly natives and decides to move on
July 10, 1768 - Port Praslin, west side of the Southern tip of New Ireland - A perfect anchorage is found: a bay in the west of the southern tip of New Ireland, to which Bougaiville names Port Praslin. The ships begin being repaired. For the first time in a while, provisions are transfered from the "Étoile" to the "Boudeuse"
July 13, 1768 - Port Praslin - The french observe a solar eclipse for the delight of the scientists aboard
July 29, 1768 - Eastern Coast of New Ireland - After sailing for days by the coast of New Britain, the french are visited again by canoes with unfriendly indians
July 31, 1768 - Eastern Coast of New Ireland - "Étoile" is attacked by natives in canoes at night but repels the attackers with musket shots
August 4, 1768 - Mussau Island, NW of New Ireland - Bougainville reaches "Matthias Island" and "Stormy Island"
August 11, 1768 - Off the North coast of New Guinea - Bougainville sights the coast of New Guinea while sailing west
August 20, 1768 - Line of the Equator - The Line of the Equator is crossed
August 31, 1768 - Seram Island, Maluku Islands - Bougainville reaches the Maluku Islands
September 1, 1768 - Kayeli, Buru Island, Maluku Island - After passing Boano, Kelang and Manipa Islands, Bougainville anchors at Buru Island, where the dutch garrison offers a supper to him and his starving officers, against the policy of the Dutch Governor of Ambon. Enough food is taken to the ship to feed the rest of the crews
September 7, 1768 - Kayeli - After spending a week at Buru, resting, hunting and taking care of the sick, the ships are loaded with provisions and the french set sail for Batavia
September 12, 1768 - Buton Strait (between Buton Island and Wowoni Island), Celebes - Bougainville correctly calculates a route to Buton Strait and crosses it carefully
September 18, 1768 - Selayar Island, SE of Makassar - Selayar Island is sighted
September 20, 1768 - Tanakeke Island, off Makassar - Bougainville reaches Tanakeke Island
September 23, 1768 - Madura Island, NE Java - Bougainville reaches Madura Island
September 28, 1768 - Batavia, Dutch East Indies - Bougainville anchors at Batavia
September 29, 1768 - Batavia - Visit to the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, Petrus Albertus van der Parra. The sick crewmen are accepted in the Dutch East India Company hospital in Batavia
October 16, 1768 - Batavia - Bougainville sets sail for France
October 19, 1768 - Sunda Strait - Bougainville crosses Sunda Strait
November 5, 1768 - NE of Mauritius - Mauritius is sighted
November 8, 1768 - Port Louis, Mauritius - "Boudeuse" enters port in Mauritius. "Étoile" arrives on the same day
December 12, 1768 - Port Louis - Bougainville sets sail to France while the "Étoile" is careened at Port Louis
January 8, 1769 - False Bay, South Africa - Bougaiville reaches False Bay
January 9, 1769 - Cape Town, South Africa - Bougainville doubles the Cape of Good Hope following a dutch ship and later anchors at Cape Town, where 14 other ships many nations were anchored
January 17, 1769 - Cape Town - Departs from Cape Town, hoping to catch Carteret
January 29, 1769 - Off St.Helena Island - Surveys St.Helena Island
February 4, 1769 - Ascension Island, South Atlantic - Bougainville anchors at Ascension Island
February 6, 1769 - Ascension Island - Sets sail to France
February 11, 1769 - Line of the Equator - Crosses the Line of the Equator for the sixth time!
February 25, 1769 - North Atlantic Ocean - Bougainville catches the slower Carteret. The british captain delivers Bougainville letters from Cape Town to France. Carteret offers him an arrow from a tribe of the Pacific. Bougainville is surprised with how Carteret sailed around the world with such a small and apparently unseaworthy ship.
March 4, 1769 - Off Terceira Island, Azores - Bougainville reaches the Azores
March 14, 1769 - Ouessant Island, NW France - Bougainville reaches Ouessant Island
March 16, 1769 - St.Malo, France - Bougainville reaches St.Malo, having lost only 7 men in 28 months of circumnavigation
April 14, 1769 - While in St.Malo(?) - "Étoile" returns to St.Malo
April 6, 1770 - Paris(?) - Promoted permanently to "Capitaine de Vaisseau"
March 15, 1771 - Paris(?) - Publishes his travel log from the circumnavigation titled "Le Voyage autour du monde, par la frégate La Boudeuse, et la flûte L'Étoile"
December 2, 1771 - Paris - Elected associate member of the "Académie de Marine"
January(?) 1(?), 1772 - Paris - Publishes his travel log from the circumnavigation titled "Le Voyage autour du monde, par la frégate La Boudeuse, et la flûte L'Étoile", part 2
April 18, 1772 - Paris - Appointed Secretary of the King's Chamber and Cabinet
May 24, 1775 - Brest - Embarks as second-in-command of Count of Guichen's 36-gun frigate "Terpsichore"
October 23, 1775 - Brest - Leaves the "Terpsichore"
April 3, 1776 - Brest - Second-in-command of the 64-gun "Solitaire" in the squadron of Du Chaffault
August 17, 1776 - Brest - Returns the command of the "Solitaire"
January 26, 1777 - Brest - Accepts the command of the 74-gun "Bien-Aimé" in the squadron commanded by Du Chaffault
January 19, 1778 - Brest - Returns the command of the "Bien-Aimé"
February 23, 1778 - Brest - Bougainville is introduced to the "Accord parfait de la Marine n°4" lodge in Brest
March 15, 1778 - Brest - Receives orders to present himself in Toulon to take command of a warship. He departs the same day
March 30, 1778 - Toulon - Bougainville arrives in Toulon, via Rennes, Nantes, Rochefort, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Aix-en-Provence
April 5, 1778 - Toulon - Accepts the command of the 74-gun "Le Guerrier"
April 13, 1778 - Toulon - Comte D'Estaing departs to America with 12 ships-of-the-line and 4 frigates
May 17, 1778 - Strait of Gibraltar - After encountering difficult conditions in the Mediterranean, the french squadron crosses the Strait of Gibraltar
June 18, 1778 - North Atlantic Ocean - British forces in Philadelphia evacuate the city after being informed that the French fleet led by d'Estaing was on its way to America and might blockade the Delaware River, cutting the main British supply line
July 6, 1778 - Delaware Bay - Comte D'Estaing arrives at Delaware Bay
July 11, 1778 - Sandy Hook, off New York - Comte D'Estaing arrives off New York and finds the city defended by a strong garrison
July 29, 1778 - Off Newport, Rhode Island - Comte D'Estaing reaches Newport
August 8, 1778 - Newport, Rhode Island - The french squadron enters Newport Bay
August 28, 1778 - Boston, Massachussets - The squadron arrives at Boston Bay
November 4, 1778 - Boston - Comte D'Estaing sails for the West Indies
December 9, 1778 - Fort-de-France, Martinique - Comte D'Estaing arrives in the West Indies with his fleet
December 14, 1778 - St.Lucia, Caribbean Sea - The french fleet arrives at St.Lucia
December 15, 1778 - St.Lucia - Battle of St.Lucia - British victory
December 16, 1778 - St.Lucia - Comte D'Estaing lands 7,000 troops for an assault on the british lines at La Vigie
December 29, 1778 - St.Lucia - Comte D'Estaing reembarks his troops and sails from St.Lucia. The island surrenders to the British
June 16, 1779 - Saint Vincent, Caribbean Sea - Comte d'Estaing captures Saint-Vincent
July 5, 1779 - Grenada - Comte d'Estaing captures Grenada
July 6, 1779 - Off Grenada, Caribbean Sea - Battle of Grenada - French victory
August 16, 1779 - Cap Français, Saint-Domingue (Cap Haitien, N. of Haiti) - D'Estaing's fleet of 30 ships and 3,000 soldiers sails from Cap-Français
September 12, 1779 - near Savannah, United States - Comte d'Estaing begins landing troops near Savannah
September 16, 1779 - Off Savannah - Comte d'Estaing lays siege to Savannah
October 17, 1779 - Off Savannah - Comte d'Estaing abandons the siege after being wounded twice
December 8, 1779 - Island of Ré - The squadron returns to France
December 9, 1779 - Rochefort, France - Arrives in Rochefort. Promoted to Squadron Leader
March 1, 1780 - Paris(?) - Promoted to Field Marshal
June 7, 1780 - Brest - Receives the command of the 80-gun "Languedoc"
September 1(?), 1780 - Brest - Returns the command of the "Languedoc"
January 25, 1781 - Brest - Bougainville marries Marie-Joséphine de Longchamps-Montendre
March 22, 1781 - Brest - Departs in command of the 80-gun "L'Auguste" in the fleet under Comte de Grasse
April 28, 1781 - Martinique - The fleet arrives in Martinique
April 29, 1781 - Off Fort-de-France, Martinique - Battle of Fort-Royal - French tactical victory
May 24, 1781 - Tobago - De Grasse's fleet lands troops on the british-held island of Tobago (under command of General Marquis de Bouillé)
June(?) 15(?), 1781 - Martinique - De Grasse returns to Martinique
July 15(?), 1781 - Cap Français, Saint-Bomingue (Cap Haitien, N. of Haiti) - De Grasse arrives at Cap Français, via Martinique. He is met by a dispatch from the north american fleet (whose news prompt him to sail north to support the americans on the Chesapeake Bay)
August 3, 1781 - Cap Français - De Grasse sets sail from Saint-Domingue with his fleet and 3,000 embarked soldiers
September 1, 1781 - Chesapeake Bay, Virginia/Maryland - De Grasse arrives in Chesapeake Bay four days after Admiral Hood
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Battle of Chesapeake (Virginia Capes)
source: US Navy |
September 5, 1781 - Off the Virginia Capes - Battle of Chesapeake - French VictorySeptember 11, 1781 - Chesapeake Bay - De Grasse returns to Chesapeake and finds Count de Barras squadron there
September 28, 1781 - Chesapeake Bay - The siege of Yorktown begins - the french fleet bombards the british positions
October 19, 1781 - Chesapeake Bay - Surrender of Yorktown
December 26, 1781 - While in the West Indies - His son, Hyacinthe de Bougainville, is born in Brest
January 11, 1782 - Saint Kitts, Caribbean Sea - De Grasse reaches Saint Kitts (sailing from Martinique)
January 19, 1782 - Off Basseterre, Saint Kitts, Caribbean Sea - French forces land and besiege Basseterre
January 22, 1782 - While off Basseterre - Admiral Hood's 22 warships are sighted near Nevis intending to reinforce Saint Kitts
January 26, 1782 - Off Basseterre, Saint Kitts, Caribbean Sea - Battle of Saint Kitts - De Grasse attacks Hood's anchored fleet but is repelled
February 13, 1782 - Nevis - De Grasse sails to Nevis to meet an arriving convoy of french victuallers
April 9, 1782 - Off Dominica, Caribbean Sea - The Battle of the Saintes begins
April 12, 1782 - Off Dominica - The Battle of the Saints ends - British victory - Bougainville misunderstands the signals from his flagship
May 13, 1782 - Rochefort, France - Returns to France
September 20, 1783 - Lorient - Trial for desertion during the battle of the Saints, but he is acquitted by the Council of War
January 19, 1784 - Lorient - Founding member of the "Societé des Cincinnati de France"
May 21, 1784 - Lorient - De Grasse is acquitted, Vaudreuil is relieved and Bougainville is admonished
December 2, 1784 - Paris - Received into the Académie de Marine as a regular member
May 28, 1785 - Paris - Bougainville collaborates in the preparation of La Pérouse's voyage
November 19, 1788 - Paris - Second son, Alphonse de Bougainville, is born
February 3, 1789 - Paris - Bougainville becomes a member of l’Académie des sciences
October 3, 1790 - Brest - Receives the command of the Brest Squadron
January 30, 1791 - Brest - Bougainville leaves Brest to collaborate in the preparation of d'Entrecasteaux's voyage
October(?) 1(?), 1791 - Anneville, Normandy - Bougainville and his wife acquire the Château de la Becquetière in Anneville-sur-Mer to take refuge during "the Terror"
January 1, 1792 - Brest - Promoted to "Vice-Amiral"
February 22, 1792 - Paris - Not able to restore order in this undisciplined troop, he retires from service and refuses the ministry after the retirement of Fleurieu, to devote himself to the study of science and education of their children
June 20, 1792 - Tuileries, Paris - Assists the King at the time of the riot of 20 June
August 10, 1792 - Tuileries, Paris - Bouvainville leaves the King after the storming of Tuileries Palace and decides to retire to his state in Anneville, Normandy
August(?) 20(?), 1792 - Anneville, Normandy - Arrives to his estate in Anneville to stay safe during "the Terror"
July 4, 1794 - Coutances - Arrested as a suspect during "the Terror"
September 4, 1794 - Coutances - Released from prison after the fall of Robespierre
June 25, 1795 - Paris - Elected member of the Bureau des Longitudes
December 16, 1795 - Paris - Elected member of the Institut de France
March 17, 1796 - Paris - Third son, Adolphe Louis Olympe de Bougainville, is born
September 1(?), 1796 - Paris - Bougainville asks the Paris prefect of police for permission to reside in the capital after his appointment as a member of the Institut de France
May 20, 1797 - Paris - Unsuccessful candidate for the director's seat left vacant by the end of Louis François Letourneur's mandate
July 2, 1798 - Paris - Appointed member of the commission to prepare the expedition to Egypt
September 5, 1798 - Paris - Bougainville drafts a favourable report for the Royal Academy of Sciences after examining the submarine ship project proposed by Robert Fulton
January(?) 1(?), 1799 - Paris - Madame Catherine Hérault de Séchelles dies, aged 85
December 25, 1799 - Paris - First Consul Napoleon appoints Bougainville senator March 25, 1800 - Paris - First Consul Napoleon aproves Baudin expedition to Australia, after receiving a delegation of eminent members of the Institut National des Sciences et Arts.
December 22, 1800 - Caen - Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters of Caen
February 2, 1802 - Paris - Promoted to "Contre-Amiral"
February 20, 1802 - Paris - Bougainville retires from the Navy
May 21, 1804 - Paris - Bougainville is named Grand officer of the Legion of honor
August 6, 1806 - Paris - Marie-Joséphine de Longchamps-Montendre dies, aged 47
April 26, 1808 - Bayonne, SW France - Appointed Count of the Empire (Letters patent, 1808 Bayonne)
September 1, 1809 - Paris - Presides over the Council of War which judges those responsible for the Battle of Trafalgar
August 31, 1811 - Paris - Louis-Antoine de Bougainville dies, aged 81 =(END)
