Emmanuel-Auguste de Cahideuc, Comte Dubois de la Motte
Encyclopedia
Vice-Admiral Emmanuel-Auguste de Cahideuc, Comte Dubois de la Motte (1683 – 23 October 1764) was a French
naval officer.
Emmanuel-Auguste de Cahideuc entered the navy as a midshipman in 1698, and received his first command (of the privateer
ship Argonaute
) in 1708. Following a promotion to sub-lieutenant, he fought at Rio de Janeiro
in 1711. In 1718 he became a knight of the order of Saint-Louis.
Dubois de La Motte was promoted to captain
in 1738, and directed three campaigns in the West Indies. In 1751, following the third of those campaigns, he was promoted to Rear-Admiral and made governor general of Saint-Domingue
.
He served extensively off the coast of Canada
, including being assigned to help defend Louisbourg, on Cape Breton Island
. Although he shortly after arriving fell seriously ill, his excellent defensive strategy had delayed British
supremacy over the island for a year, the British failing in their attempts in the Louisbourg Expedition (1757)
.
In 1758, with his active career over (at 75 years of age), he participated in a battle to repulse a British landing near Saint-Malo
, which ultimately proved successful. First knighted in 1718, Dubois de la Motte died in Rennes, France a knight grand cross and vice-admiral.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
naval officer.
Emmanuel-Auguste de Cahideuc entered the navy as a midshipman in 1698, and received his first command (of the privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
ship Argonaute
Argonaute
Argonaute proteins are the catalytic components of the RNA-induced silencing complex , the protein complex responsible for the gene silencing phenomenon known as RNA interference . Argonaute proteins bind different classes of small non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs , small interfering RNAs and...
) in 1708. Following a promotion to sub-lieutenant, he fought at Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
in 1711. In 1718 he became a knight of the order of Saint-Louis.
Dubois de La Motte was promoted to captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
in 1738, and directed three campaigns in the West Indies. In 1751, following the third of those campaigns, he was promoted to Rear-Admiral and made governor general of Saint-Domingue
Saint-Domingue
The labour for these plantations was provided by an estimated 790,000 African slaves . Between 1764 and 1771, the average annual importation of slaves varied between 10,000-15,000; by 1786 it was about 28,000, and from 1787 onward, the colony received more than 40,000 slaves a year...
.
He served extensively off the coast of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, including being assigned to help defend Louisbourg, on Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island is an island on the Atlantic coast of North America. It likely corresponds to the word Breton, the French demonym for Brittany....
. Although he shortly after arriving fell seriously ill, his excellent defensive strategy had delayed British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
supremacy over the island for a year, the British failing in their attempts in the Louisbourg Expedition (1757)
Louisbourg Expedition (1757)
The Louisbourg Expedition was a failed British attempt to capture the French fortress of Louisbourg on Île Royale during the Seven Years' War ....
.
In 1758, with his active career over (at 75 years of age), he participated in a battle to repulse a British landing near Saint-Malo
Saint-Malo
Saint-Malo is a walled port city in Brittany in northwestern France on the English Channel. It is a sub-prefecture of the Ille-et-Vilaine.-Demographics:The population can increase to up to 200,000 in the summer tourist season...
, which ultimately proved successful. First knighted in 1718, Dubois de la Motte died in Rennes, France a knight grand cross and vice-admiral.