Jacques Bedout

Who was Jacques Bedout?

Jacques Bedout was a Canadian born naval officer who had both a merchant marine and Royal Navy career in France.

Bedout spent 14 years in the merchant marine at the beginning of his career. He joined the French Royal Navy in 1777 as sub-lieutenant and rose to rear-admiral.

In 1795, he commanded the 74-gun Tigre at the Battle of Groix. Bedout sustained four injuries, and was taken prisoner after the capture of Tigre. At the British Parliament, Charles James Fox praised his defence of his ship, comparing him to Roman and Greek heroes.

His career advanced steadily and, in 1802, Napoleon personally gave him a five ship squadron. The flagship was the Argonaute from which he commanded his squadron until illness forced his retirement in 1803. He remained listed as active on the lists until 1816.

Bedout always received high ratings from his superiors. Records show that he was considered a first rate officer.