Léonard-Bernard Motard
Léonard-Bernard Motard (Honfleur, 27 July 1771 – Honfleur, 26 May 1852) was a French naval officer and eventually "contre-amiral". Motard enlisted in the French Navy in 1786. He was promoted to ensign in 1791, to lieutenant in 1793, and to "capitaine de frégate" in 1797. He then served in Brueys's general staff. Motard helped organise the naval component of the Napoleonic Campaign in Egypt, and took part in the Battle of the Nile aboard the flagship "Orient". He evacuated her before she exploded, but sustained severe injuries and was taken prisoner by the British. After  he was released, Motard served as staff officer to Ganteaume, taking part in operations in Saint Domingue. Promoted to "capitaine the vaisseau" in 1803, he took command of the 32-gun "Sémillante", in Linois' squadron. He took part in the Battle of Pulo Aura on 14 February 1804. On 8 June 1806, "Sémillante" captured the East Indiamen "Acteon", "Warren Hastings", and "Active". On 11 November, the encountered and ; an engagement developed on 13 November, from which the British retreated. Between 15 March and 18 March 1808, "Sémillante" fought a running battle with HMS "Terpsichore", and escaped to Île de France . Motard sustained life-threatening injuries and returned to France. In December 1809, Motard was elevated to commander of the Legion of Honour. In November 1810, he was made a baron of Empire. From 4 January 1811, he headed the "École spéciale de Marine" in Toulon. He retired with the rank of "contre-amiral" in 1814.