Charles Picot de Dampierre
Charles Picot de Dampierre, also known as "chevalier de Dampierre", was a French Navy officer and admiral. Biography. Family. Charles Picot de Dampierre was born to the noble family of the House of Dampierre, originally from Champagne, ennobled in 1496. Dampierre was promoted to the status of Marquess in 1645. The family went extinct in 1871. Eight of its members served in the French Navy. Career. Charles Picot de Dampierre joined the French Royal Navy in 1743 as a garde-marine. He was promoted to Ensign in 1748 at the end of the War of Austrian  Succession and to Lieutenant in 1756, at the beginning of the Seven Years' War. By the end of the conflict, he had risen to Commander in 1764. Dampierre rose to Captain in 1772. He took part in the American Revolutionary War. On 6 July 1779, he commanded the 74-gun "Diadème" in the squadron of Vice-Admiral d'Estaing, taking part in the Battle of Granada against the British forces under Admiral Byron. In 1782, he was in command of "Bretagne". In 1748, he was promoted to chef d'escadre. In 1779, he joined the Knights Hospitalier. Notes and references. References Bibliography