Eugène Collache

Who is Eugène Collache?

Eugène Collache was an officer of the French Navy in the 19th century. Based on the ship Minerva of the French Oriental Fleet, he deserted when the ship was anchored at Yokohama harbour, with his friend Henri Nicol to rally other French officers, led by Jules Brunet, who had embraced the cause of the Bakufu in the Boshin War. On November 29, 1868, Eugène Collache and Nicol left Yokohama on board a commercial ship, the Sophie-Hélène, chartered by a Swiss businessman.

The two French officers first reached Samenoura Bay in the province of Nambu, where they learned that the Imperial forces had subdued the Daimyos of Northern Japan, and that the rebel forces favorable to the Shogun had fled to the island of Hokkaidō. They decided to go further north to Aomori, where they were warmly received by the Daimyo of Tsugaru. A visiting American ship brought them the news that an arrestation order against them had been issued. Eugène Collache and Nicol decided to board the American ship and reached Hokkaidō. During the winter of 1868-1869, Collache was put in charge of establishing fortifications in the volcanic mountain chain protecting Hakodate.