Maxime Julien Émeriau de Beauverger

Maxime Julien Émeriau de Beauverger(French pronunciation:[maksimʒyljɛ̃eməʁjodəbovɛʁʒe];20 October 1762 inCarhaix– 2 February 1845 inToulon) was a French Navy officer and admiral.

Biography

American War of Independence

Emeriau joined the Navy in 1776, just before the outbreak of theAmerican War of Independence,taking service on thefluytSylphe.

He took part in theBattle of Ushanton theIntrépidein 1778. He was then transferred on theDiadème,inAdmiral d'Estaing's fleet, taking part in theBattle of Grenada,where he was wounded, and in theSiege of Savannah,where one of his eyes was wounded.

Emeriau served underLamotte-Picquetduring theBattle of Martinique.

After rising tolieutenant de frégate,he took part in the campaigns of Admiralde Grasse,serving aboard a number of ships. He took part in theBattle of St. Kittsand in theBattle of the Saintes,where he was twice wounded.

After theTreaty of Paris,Emeriau sailed with the commerce.

In 1786, Emeriau returned to the Navy as a sub-lieutenant.He sailed to the Caraibs on theChameauandMulet,and then on the 74-gunPatrioteand the frigateFine,until 1791.

Revolutionary wars

On 1 January 1792, Emeriau was promoted to lieutenant.The next year, he received command of the corvetteCerf.He notably ferried a convoy of refugees to New England after a fire devastatedCap Français.

From 1793, Emeriau captained theEmbuscade,taking part in, underPierre Jean Van Stabel,the escort of the grain convoy that was the background for theGlorious First of June.

In December 1794, Emeriau was promoted to captain,receiving command of theConquérant,and later of theTimoléon,both in the Mediterranean fleet under AdmiralPierre Martin.He took part in the various battles fought by the fleet, notably theBattle of Cape Noliand theBattle of Hyères Islands.

In 1796, Emeriau took part in theExpédition d'Irlande,captaining theJemmapes.

In 1798, Emeriau served inBrueys'fleet, as commodore on theSpartiate.He led the French squadron that capturedMalta.

He took part in theBattle of the Nile,whereSpartiatewas the third ship in the French line. She dueled with Nelson'sVanguard,andAudaciousfrom 19:00. At 21:00, Emeriau, twice wounded and facing three opponents, orders the colours struck.

In July 1802, Emeriau was promoted tocontre-amiral,commanding a division with his flag on the 80-gunIndomptable.He took part in the French repression of theHaitian Revolution.

In 1803, he was transferred to command part of the flotilla inOstend,before returning toLorientto command a division, with his flag onJemmapes.

Préfet maritime and chief commander in Toulon

In late 1803, Emeriau was promoted topréfet maritimeinToulon.He served in this capacity until 1811. when he took command of the Mediterranean squadron as a vice-admiral. The fleet was however blockaded in its harbour byLord Exmouth's fleet, and was unable to mount large-scale operations.

On 7 March 1813, he was promoted to vice-admiral and nominated inspector of the coasts of Ligurie.

During theHundred Days,Emeriau was made aPair de France.However, he never had a chance to serve in this capacity. TheBourbon Restorationsent him into retirement, making him a Pair de France in 1831.

Freemasonry

Emeriau was aFreemason,member of fourlodges:theMère Loge Écossaise,the lodgePaix et Parfaite Unionin Toulon,Amitié à l'ÉpreuveandAmis Fidèles de Saint Napoléonin Marseille.

He was a member of theSociety of the Cincinnati.

Honours

Emeriau's name engrave on theArc de Triomphe(fifth from bottom).

• Name engraved on the Southern pillar of theArc de Triomphe
• Grand cross of theLegion of Honour
• Knight of theOrder of Saint Louis

Bibliography

• Six, Georges (1934)."Emeriau de Beauverger (Maxime-Julien, comte)".Dictionnaire biographique des généraux et amiraux français de la Révolution et de l'Empire: 1792–1814(in French). Vol. 1. Paris: Librairie Historique et Nobilaire. pp. 423–434.

• Dictionnaire des Marins Francs-Maçons(sous la direction de Jean Marc Van Hille), Éditions le Phare de Misaine, Nantes, 2008.