FRANCOIS

See also:

• ALPHONSE, COUNT OF TOULOUSE AND OF POITIERS (I220-1271)

ALPHONSE

See also:

• FRANCOIS ALPHONSE HAMELIN (1796-1864)

HAMELIN (1796-1864)  , French admiral, was born at Pont 1'Eveque on the 2nd of September 1796 . He went to sea with his uncle, J . F . E . Hamelin, in the " Venus " frigate in 18o6 as cabin boy . The " Venus " was part of the French squadron in the Indian Ocean, and young Hamelin had an opportunity of seeing much active service . She, in company with another and a smaller vessel, captured the English frigate " Ceylon " in 181o, but was immediately afterwards captured herself by the " Boadicea," under Commodore Rowley (1765-1842) . Young Hamelin was a prisoner of war for a short time . He returned to France in 1811 . On the fall of the Empire he had better fortune than most of the Napoleonic officers who were turned ashore . In 1821 he became lieutenant, and in 1823 took part in the French expedition under the duke of Angouleme into Spain . In 1828 he was appointed captain of the " Acteon," and was engaged till 1831 on the coast of Algiers and in. the conquest of the town and country .

His first command as

flag officer was in the Pacific, where he showed much tact during the dispute over the Marquesas Islands with England in 1844 . He was promoted vice-admiral in 1848 . During the Crimean War he commanded in the Black Sea, and co-operated with Admiral Dundas in the bombardment of Sevastopol 17th of October 18 J4 . His relations with his English colleague were not very cordial . On the 7th of December 1854 he was promoted admiral . Shortly afterwards he was recalled to France, and was named minister of marine . His administration lasted till 186o, and was remarkable for the expeditions to Italy and China organized under his directions; but it was even more notable for the energy shown in adopting and developing the use of armour . The launch of the "Gloire " pi set the example of constructing sea-going ironclads . The first English ironclad, the " Warrior," was designed as an answer to the " Gloire." When Napoleon III. made his first concession to Liberal opposition, Admiral Hamelin was one of the ministers sacrificed . He held no further command, and died on the loth of January 1864 .