Claude de Forbin Claude , chevalier , then count de Forbin - Gardanne ( 6 August 1656 – 4 March 1733 ) was a French naval commander . In 1685 - 1688 he was on a diplomatic mission to Siam . He became governor of Bangkok and a general in the Siamese army , and left Siam shortly before King Narai fell ill and was deposed by a Coup d ' état . Biography . Claude de Forbin was born in the village Gardanne in the Provence , as a member of a family established in Marseilles in the 14th century . Later divided into several branches , Claude de Forbin was the most famous of the branch Farbin Gradanne . High - spirited and ungovernable in his boyhood , he ran away from his home , and through the influence of an uncle entered the navy , serving his first campaign in 1675 . For a short time he quit the navy and entered the musketeers . There , he killed the chevalier de Gourdon in a duel , and was sentenced to death by the Parliament of Aix ; he managed to obtain a grace and joined the Navy under his brother ' s identity . He served under the Count d ' Estrées during the American campaign , and under Duquesne that of Algiers in 1683 , on all occasions distinguishing himself by his impetucus courage . Grand Admiral of Siam . The most remarkable episode of his life was his mission to Siam . During the administration of the Greek adventurer Phaulcon in that country , the project was formed of introducing the Christian religion and European civilisation , and the king sent an embassy to Louis XIV . In response a French embassy was sent out , Forbin accompanying the Chevalier de Chaumont with the rank of major aboard the " Oiseau " . When Chaumont returned to France , Forbin was induced to remain in the service of the Siamese king , and accepted , though with much reluctance , the posts of grand admiral , general of all the king ' s armies and governor of Bangkok . His position , however , was soon made untenable by the jealousy and intrigues of the minister Phaulcon ; and at the end of two years he left Siam , reaching France in 1688 . He was replaced as Governor of Bangkok by the Chevalier de Beauregard . War with England . Claude de Forbin was afterwards fully engaged in active service , first with Jean Bart in the war with England , when they escorted a convoy ; attacked by superior forces , Forbin , aboard the " Jeux " , and Jean Bart , aboard the " Railleuse " , sacrificed themselves in a delaying action to allow the convoy the escape . They were both captured and taken to Plymouth . They succeeded in making their escape after 11 days , crossed the Channel on a small craft , and were soon serving their country again . Made a " capitaine de vaisseau " in June 1689 , he commanded the " Neptune " in the Battle of Beachy Head ( 1690 ) . After a campaign in the North Sea in 1691 , he commanded the " Perle " in Barfleur , where he was wounded . He greatly distinguished himself at the battle of Lagos in 1693 . Commanding the " Marquis " in 1695 , he campaigned in Mediterranean Sea and the Constantinople . In 1697 , he served in Cataluña and in the siege of Barcelona . During the War of the Spanish Succession , he led a three - ship of the line division in the Adriatic , where he blockade d Venice , bombed Trieste and ramsonned Fiume . In 1703 and 1704 , he hunted down the privateer s from Vlissingen . In June 1706 , he attacked an English convoy , capturing seven ships ; on 12 July , he seized two Dutch ships , and on 28 October , engaging a strongly escorted Dutch convoy , he captured three ships and sank another one . In 1707 , he was made a " Chef d ' Escadre " ( Rear - Admiral ) . On 12 May he captured a British convoy of 18 ships en route for Portugal . In the summer he led the " Mars " and a division into the White Sea , returning to Brest on 23 September with 34 captured ships . On 21 October in the Battle at the Lizard , he helped Duguay - Trouin in destroying almost entirely an English convoy set for Portugal : on 80 ships , 60 merchantman and four ships of the line were captured , and 1 other was sunk . In 1708 , he led Prince James Francis Edward Stuart to Scotland , in an attempt to reconquer the Throne of England ; ill - prepared , the attempt failed , and Forbin ceased to navigate . He quit the Navy in January 1715 , and died on 4 March 1733 in Saint - Marcel Castle near Marseille . His " Memories " were published in 1730 , written by his secretary . Sometimes hated for his harsh and strong personality , Forbin entered the legend as one of the most brilliant sailors of the time . Trivia . Six vessels of the French Navy bore the name ( see French ship " Forbin " ) .