Louis Gabriel Deniéport

Louis Gabriel Deniéport (14 April 1765, Dieppe – 20 October 1805) was a French naval captain who fought in several battles, most notably Trafalgar, at which he was killed commanding the Achille.

Life
Born to hotelier parents on rue de l'oranger in Dieppe, his godfather was Nicolas Boiloy, a businessman in the Saint-Remy parish, and his godmother was the widow Michel Martel, a businesswoman in the parish of Saint-Jacques. Like his brother Jean-Vincent Deniéport, Louis was a brilliant student at the Oratorian school and won the general prize in 1785, though he had to enter the Oratorian house very young. His passion for the sea and probable aptitude for action rather than philosophical meditation interrupted his studies aged 14 when he began serving on the privateers that were common in the port of Dieppe. On these he gained seagoing skills in the subaltern posts of novice, matelot and aide-pilote.

Better educated than his fellow seamen and also daring and able, he came to public attention just as the mainly-noble officer corps of the navy was weeded out on the French Revolution. On 9 messidor year II (9 June 1794), he was made an enseigne "entretenu", by decree of Salicetti, representative of the people. A note from Toulon on his bearing stated "his manners are pure, exact in the service, inclined neither to wine nor gaming, good in political conduct, educated, with robust health, loved by his crew".

He took command of the corvette Brune on 5 frimaire year II (15 November 1794) and went to Toulon under the command of general Martin. He fought in the action in which the British captured the Censeur and Ça Ira. In the course of this action Le Timoléon was dismasted and sinking, under fire from three British ships surrounding it. The Brune managed to draw off the British ships' fire, for which action general Martin promoted Deniéport to lieutenant de vaisseau on 21 germinal year IV (10 April 1796). Deniéport then took part in a long campaign in the Levant and, when he came under suspicion from agents of the French Directory, the city of Sète attested to his loyalty. He thus rose up the career ladder to capitaine de frégate on 14 floréal year V (3 May 1797).

On 2 brumaire year VII (23 October 1798) he received a provisional commission as a brevet capitaine de vaisseau commanding the Leander, putting him under the command of chef de division Lejoille. He was sent to Corfu, which Russia and the Ottoman Empire were hoping to annex, doing his best with a lean Greek and Venetian crew. However, his ship was surrounded by an enemy fleet and captured, though he was soon the subject of a prisoner exchange and showered with recommendations and flattering references. Commissioner general Dubois certified that "Commander Deniéport fulfilled all the dutier of a good officer and a brave republican" and the whole garrison of Corfu also witnessed to his good behaviour. Contre-amiral Perré wrote that Deniéport showed "conduct worthy of praise, a good officer, a true seaman, zealous, active, who very well fulfilled the several particular and very delicate tasks he was entrusted with". Général de division Chabot also wrote "This captain, with his vessel devoid of people, resisted beyond all praise" and vice admiral Thévenard praised "his zeal and his talent". Ill and tired out from his hard voyages, Deniéport asked for leave to spend time in Dieppe, which he had not visited for seven years.

<!--- Les héros de ces épopées récoltaient plus gloire que d’argent. Le 4 vendémiaire an VIII ( 27 septembre 1799), Deniéport réclame un acompte sur les 5,000 francs qui lui restent dus de l’an VI, et sollicite une part de ses appointements de l’an VII. Le Directoire ne payait pas plus régulièrement ses officiers que ses fonctionnaires, car le Trésor s’épuisait vite au temps de Barras. Le 7 du même mois, seconde lettre de notre marin au Ministre. Il résume ses campagnes depuis l’an II et demande que son grade de capitaine de vaisseau lui soit maintenu. On ne lui donne pas tout de suite satisfaction.

En l’an XII (1803), il commande La Badine en qualité de capitaine de frégate dans les eaux de la Martinique. Brumaire an XIII (1804), il reprend du service en France, et se voit enfin nommé capitaine de vaisseau à titre définitif.

Le capitaine général de la Martinique l’avait bien servi en disant de lui qu’il "était un des marins les plus propres à assurer les expéditions dont il serait chargé et à illustrer son arme." Déniéport poursuivit brillamment sa carrière.

Il commande L'Achille, vaisseau de 74 canons, et fait partie de l’escadre franco-espagnole de Villeneuve, que Nelson va détruire. De toute cette escadre de 33 navires, L'Achille signale le premier l’arrivée de la flotte britannique, le 28 vendémiaire (20). La bataille s’engagea bientôt ; on sait comment elle se termina.

Thiers, dans son histoire du Consulat et de l’Empire (tome VI, page 170), Guérin, dans sa France maritime (tome VI, page 443), ont raconté cette lutte terrible et soulignent la part qu’y prit L’Achille. "Une dernière scène, a écrit Thiers, vint saisir d’horreur les combattant et d’admiration nos ennemis eux-mêmes." Il dépeint L’Achille assailli de tous côtés, se défendant avec opiniâtreté sans se soucier de l’incendie qui gagna tout le bâtiment, atteint les poudres, et le fait sauter avec son héroïque équipage.

Guérin s’exprime ainsi : "L’Achille, Capitaine Denièport, soutenait une lutte plus énergique encore. Démâté de son mât d’artimon dès le début de l’action, bientôt après, il avait perdu son mât de hune, mais cela n’avait pas ralenti l’ardeur de l’équipage… Ce malheureux vaisseau de 74 tombe dans un peloton composé du trois ponts le Prince, du Swiftsure britannique et du Polyphemus qui le battent à bâbord, à tribord et en poupe. Le capitaine Deniéport reçoit un premier coup qui lui fracasse la cuisse, et déclare néanmoins qu’il ne quittera pas son poste ; un second coup l’étend mort sur son gaillard. Ceux qui lui succèdent tombent comme lui jusqu’à ce que l’enseigne Cauchard se trouve investi du commandement par la mort de tous ses chefs." --->