Jean Boutroux died when Pierre was fifteen years old and so his professorship of hydrography became vacant. Pierre applied for his father's professorship and he was such a remarkable young man, both brilliant and knowledgeabl, that he was appointed.
Jean Boutroux namatay kapag Pierre ay labing-limang taong gulang at upang kanyang pagkapropesor ng hydrography ay naging laman. Pierre-apply para sa kanyang ama pagkapropesor at siya ay tulad ng isang binata-pansin, parehong makinang at knowledgeabl, na siya ay hinirang.