Tidbits from the history of our ancestors. # 20

Ships to Canada in 1757.
Ships mentioned in the personal journal of Bougainville.
last update : October 11, 1999

Louis Antoine de Bougainville, the famous world explorer, was an officer in the French army in Canada from 1756 to 1760, where he took an active part in many of the campaigns of the French and Indian War, as well as acting as Montcalm's secretary during some of them. Bougainville wrote a personal journal, a transcript of which is kept at the Quebec National Archives. In this journal Bougainville sometimes noted the arrival at Québec or departure of some of the ships.

Below is the list of these notes on ships for the year 1757. At least 25 ships are involved. This is by no mean a complete list of the year's traffic.Some of our ancestors arrived on these ships.

Below this listing is a table giving the three squadrons of warships which were stationed at that time at Louisbourg, Isle Royale (today`s Cap Breton Island, Nova Scotia). The presence of these ships prevented the English from attacking that year. An English fleet of equal size and a land army of 30,000 had been assembled at Halifax, Nova Scotia, for this purpose, but as Bougainville says, the English strategy at sea has always been not to engage the enemy if he seems to be of equal strength. Hence the attack was delayed to 1758.

Bizarre
Before June 09, 1757, 64 guns warship of the line, captain Montalet, arrived from Louisbourg at Île-aux-Coudres and stationed there to blockade the Saint-Laurent. It carried three companies of 60 each of the Berry regiment and gunpowder. The soldiers and supplies were transported to Québec in two smaller ships. The Bizarre later landed at Québec and departed for Louisbourg on September 19, 1757. Similar to the Achille shown at right.
Célèbre
Before June 09, 1757, 64 guns warship of the line, captain la Jonquière, arrived from Louisbourg at Île-aux-Coudres and stationed there to blockade the Saint-Laurent. It carried three companies of 60 each of the Berry regiment and gunpowder. The soldiers and supplies were transported to Québec in two smaller ships. The Célèbre later landed at Québec and departed for Louisbourg on September 19, 1757.
Several merchant ships

Before June 09, 1757, several merchant ships sailing up the Saint-Laurent near Bic, below Québec, loaded with provisions. Likely include some of the ships mentioned below.

David
On June 10 1757, merchant ship from Bordeaux sailing up the Saint-Laurent with the Jason. Both ships belong to Gradis, an important Jewish businessman, accomplice of Intendant Bigot convicted after the war of criminal racketeering.. The two ships carried 170 recruits drawn from a body of foreign volunteers for the seven regiments and the Compagnies Franches de la Marine stationed in Canada as well as 1,000 quarters of flour and 1,000 quarters of salted pork. The two ships landed at Québec before June 16.

Jason

On June 10 1757, merchant ship from Bordeaux sailing up the Saint-Laurent with the David. Both ships belong to Gradis, an important Jewish businessman, accomplice of Intendant Bigot convicted after the war of criminal racketeering. The two ships carried 170 recruits drawn from a body of foreign volunteers for the seven regiments and the Compagnies Franches de la Marine stationed in Canada as well as 1,000 quarters of flour and 1,000 quarters of salted pork. The two ships landed at Québec before June 16.

Unnamed
On June 10 1757, merchant ship from The Caribbeans sailing up the Saint-Laurent.

Unnamed
Before June 16,1757, merchant ship from Miramichi, Acadia (now in New Brunswick) carrying 120 Acadian refugees, landed at Québec.

Président Le Breton

After June 10 , before June 16, 1757 merchant ship from Bordeaux sailing up the Saint-Laurent. It belongs to Gradis.

Unnamed

After June 10 , before June 16, 1757 merchant ship from Bayonne sailing up the Saint-Laurent.

Unnamed

After June 10 , before June 16, 1757 brigantine from La Rochelle sailing up the Saint-Laurent.

Unnamed English ship

After June 10 , before June 16, 1757 English ship captured by the brigantine from La Rochelle sailing up the Saint-Laurent.

Saint-Antoine

Merchant ship arrived at Québec on June 15, 1757. This ship was likely armed as it collected 8,000 pounds of ransom from two English ships (one at least was from the British Colonies) on the way to Canada.

Rochelois

Before June 25, 1757 ship carrying mail from France. Might not have reached Québec but transborded the mail somewhere on the Saint-Laurent to a smaller pilot ship.

Unnamed

Before July 03, 1757 one of two warships landed at Québec with 400 recruits, 6 officers of the Corps Royal (engineers and artillery) and 20 artillerymen. Mr. De Montbeillard is one of the six officers.

Unnamed

Before July 03, 1757 second of two warships landed at Québec.

Toison d’Or

On July 25, 1757, 300 tons merchant ship from France loaded with wine, brandy and part of the effects of the Berry regiment was wrecked on the Beaumont flats, about twenty miles below Québec.Pay attention to this scubadiving treasure hunters!

Fortune

A few days after July 25, 1757, this flute sailed from Québec for France with official courier. A flute is a warship with some of its guns relocated as ballast for added speed and manoeuverability.

Saint-Patrice

Before September 9, 1757, merchant ship landed with 4,000 quarters of flour.

Société

On September 25, 1757, 120 tons merchant ship from France loaded with wine, brandy, powder and scarlet cloth for the account of the India Company was wrecked on the Beaumont flats, about twenty miles below Québec, at the same place as the Toison d'Or. The captain and four seamen drowned. The cargo was later recovered.

Bristol

On September 27, 1757, 400 tons merchant ship arrived at Québec, with wine, brandy and dry goods.

Liberté

On September 28, ship arrived at Québec with 60 recruits and clothing for 3,200 soldiers. Probably a flute.

Unnamed

On October 15, 1757, brigantine arrived at Québec with 200,000 pounds of gunpowder, 250 quarters of salted beef and some soldiers of the Berry regiment. It had left Bordeaux in early August, arrived at Louisbourg on September 14 and left for Québec on September 27. Mr. De Pontleroy, new chief engineer of Nouvelle-France was a passenger.

Robuste

On November 05, 1757, warship armed as a packet ship, departs from Québec for Plymouth, England, with 106 English prisoners.
Sauvage
On November 06, 1757, ship left Québec for La Rochelle. Probably a warship.

Diamant

On November 06, 1757, ship left Québec for La Rochelle. Probably a warship. Temperature 15 degree F.(minus 8 C.)

Deux-Frères

On November 07, 1757, merchant ship left Québec at daybreak for France. Last ship to leave for Europe in 1757.

During 1757, three squadrons were stationed at Louisbourg, one from Toulon, two from Brest.
Pictures of Dauphin-Royal and Achille are attached.

Ships of the Line
Name Cannons Captain
Formidable 80 M. Dubois de la Motte, vice admiral, squadron commander
Tonnant 80 M. de Beaufremont, lieutenant general
Défenseur 74 M. de Blénac, squadron commander
Duc de Bourgogne 80 M. d’Aubigny, squadron commander
Héros 74 M. Chateloger, captain
Diadème 74 M.Rosily, captain
Hector 74

M. Curvesse, captain
Glorieux 74 M. Chavagnac, captain
Dauphin royal 70 M. d’Urtubie, captain PICTURE
Achille 64 M. de Panat, captain PICTURE

Éveillé

 64 M. Merville, captain
Vaillant 64 M. Saurin, captain
Superbe 70 M. Choiseuil, captain
Inflexible 64 M. Saint-Laurant, captain
Belliqueux 64 M.d’Orvillers, captain
Sage 64 M. Dabom, captain
Célèbre 64 M. la Jonquière, casptain sent to Québec
Bizarre 64 M. Montalet, captain sent to Québec
Greenwich 64 English 64 guns captured by M. de Beaufremont
Frigates
Name Cannons Captain
Bruné 32 M. Laprévalaye, captain
Fleur de Lys 32 M. Tourville, captain
Abénakis 36 M. Macarty, captain (likely Scottish)
Comète 32 M. de Brugnon, captain
Hermione 32 M. Dubois, lieutenant

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