Charles de Charritte
Charles de Charritte (Pau, 1 November 1733 – Rennes, 20 October 1815) was a French Navy officer. He served in the War of American Independence. Biography. Charritte was born to the family of a president of the Parliament of Pau, himself a son of Jean-Pierre de Charitte. Charritte joined the Navy as Garde-Marine on 11 October 1749, and was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 May 1763. He was promoted to Captain on 14 April 1777, with a service history at the time mentioning "17 cruises, 2 commands, 1 battle". In 1779, he commanded the 80-gun  Auguste as flag captain of Chef d'Escadre Rochechouart, who headed the 2nd Division of the White-and-Blue squadron of the fleet under Orvilliers. In 1781, he commanded the 74-gun "Bourgogne", in the Blue squadron of the fleet under De Grasse. He took part in the Battle of the Chesapeake on 5 September 1781 and in Battle of the Saintes, and was later presented a sword by the Estates of Burgundy for saving "Bourgogne", which they had financed. He served as general director of the harbour of Rochefort in 1783. He was promoted to Chef d'Escadre on 1 November  1786 and given command of the 9th Squadron. In 1786, he cruised with the escadre d'évolution with his flag on the frigate "Junon". He rose to contre-amiral on 1 January 1792. During the French Revolution, he retired in Touraine and stayed clear of historical events, although the Directoire called him to be part of the in Paris in 1799. During the Bourbon Restoration, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Louis, and the rank of Vice-amiral on 6 July 1814. Sources and references. Notes Citations Bibliography