François de Casembroot

Who was François de Casembroot?

François de Casembroot was an officer of the Royal Netherlands Navy.

Casembroot was named Commander of the ship Medusa, which patrolled the Japanese coast from 1862 to 1864. On July 11, 1863, the ship was attacked in the Strait of Shimonoseki by the ships and the batteries of the daimyo of Chōshū, Mori Takachika, who was following an Imperial "Order to expel barbarians". Casembroot managed to respond and escape, although with significant damage. Four sailors were killed in action, and 5 other were wounded.

The following year, in September 1864, Casembroot participated to the Allied retaliations against Chōshū, again on the Medusa, in the Bombardment of Shimonoseki.

Back in the Netherlands, Casembroot was complimented for his actions in Japan, was knighted and was decorated together with his men.

In 1865, Casembroot wrote an account of his adventures in Japan, entitled De medusa in wateren van Japan.