MÉDUSE - FRENCH FRIGATE:

MÉDUSE - FRENCH FRIGATE: La Méduse was a French Navy frigate. The frigate was armed to ferry French officials to Senegal to re-establish the colony in hands of the British. La Méduse leaded by an inept Captain, chosen by politicians, struck the Bank of Arguin on 2nd July 1816, and provoked terrible ordeals. Many men died drowned, many of them were drunk, a large group of them rebelled and were killed by officers, some survivors engaged in cannibalism and some injured men were thrown into the sea when food ran low. Two weeks after the raft was found with only 15 survivors. An extremely rare A.L.S., Desarbre & fils Sous-Lieutenant, two pages, 4to, on board of La Méduse, Saint Lazere, 17th December 1810, to Monsieur Pajol, secretary to the Duke of Istria (Marshal Bessieres), in French. The writer thanks his correspondent and patron, and explains that he has embarked La Méduse with destination the Island of Java. He reports that they expect favourable winds and that they will be travelling four months before reaching destiny. He also mentions having enjoyed the dinner with Captain (Joseph François Raoul) and with General Janssens, and states in part `The English are waiting for us not far from here, but I think that with equal forces…We are all young and strong and are ready to respond to them in the same way..we are eight on the Nymphe, and we have been explained where our fighting posts are…I kindly ask you to forgive my writing as I am writing on the capstan and the frigate is crowded..´ A letter of very interesting content. With blank address leaf. VG £1000-1500 Jean Guillaume Janssens (1762-1838) Dutch officer serving French army. Appointed General short before. He leaded the expedition to Java and was captured by the English in 1811. La Nymphe was a French frigate which was launched at the time La Méduse was launched too and accompanied the last till 3rd of January.